Are JD(U)-BJP Finally Calling It Quits?

There is enough evidence emerging from Bihar that all is not well with the BJP and JD(U) alliance in the state. There are frequent incidents of the two allies bickering in public, and not seeing eye-to-eye on several issues.

From the Agnipath scheme to banning PFI, the two parties have disagreed on some crucial issues. With the Bihar CM skipping the last four meetings called by the central government, speculation is rife that the JD(U) is looking to part ways with the BJP.

Both the parties are reported to have called a meeting of all party MPs and MLAs. Bihar Congress has also been reported to have asked its Bihar MLAs to return to the state.

Adding fuel to the rumour mills is the resignation of the former Union Minister and a close aide of Kumar, RCP Singh after his own party levelled charges against him for “amassing” wealth. Singh was being seen as getting close to the BJP. To chip his wings, the party decided not to renew his Rajya Sabha membership.

Singh, during a press conference, took a jibe at Kumar's prime ministerial ambitions, remarking, “He will not become (the PM) even if he were to be reborn seven times.”

Bihar CM, Nitish Kumar, who had previously harboured ambitions to become the prime minister, took a back seat in 2017, breaking the alliance with the RJD and re-joining the NDA. In 2020 state elections, both the parties, BJP and JD(U) fought elections together.

However, JD(U) could only win 43 seats while BJP registered victory on 74 seats, becoming the dominant partner. For the sake of the alliance, the central BJP leadership decided to continue the government with Kumar as the CM.

However, the current developments show Kumar reviving his old ambitions and may again be throwing his hat to lead the opposition in the 2024 general elections.

The RJD, which had found common ground with the JD(U) on caste census, is closely watching the events unfold. Amid a brewing political storm in Bihar, the opposition RJD on Monday said it was ready to “embrace” Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and his JD(U) if he broke ranks with the BJP.

RJD national vice-president Shivanand Tiwary told the reporters that “If Nitish chooses to dump NDA, what choice do we have except to embrace him (‘gale lagaenge’). RJD is committed to fighting the BJP. If the chief minister decides to join this fight, we will have to take him along”.