Patna: In a major political development ahead of the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s party, the Janata Dal (United), suffered a significant blow as senior leader and former MP Santosh Kushwaha resigned from the JD(U) and joined the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) on Friday afternoon.
Kushwaha, who wields considerable influence in the Seemanchal region, announced his decision at 2pm in Patna, citing prolonged neglect within the JD(U) and dissatisfaction over ticket distribution. “Despite years of loyalty, I was consistently sidelined,” he said, signalling his intent to contest from the Dhamdaha seat against JD(U) minister Leshi Singh.
RJD insiders see Kushwaha’s induction as a calculated move to consolidate the influential Kushwaha voter base, traditionally considered a crucial factor in Seemanchal’s electoral arithmetic. The party is reportedly planning to leverage his regional clout to strengthen its foothold in north-eastern Bihar.
Political observers believe Kushwaha’s exit could dent JD(U)’s prospects in several constituencies, as he was among the few leaders credited with reviving the party’s presence in Purnea and adjoining areas.
The defection underscores growing unease within Nitish Kumar’s party, which has been struggling to retain its cadre amid seat-sharing uncertainty in the NDA and dissatisfaction over leadership decisions.
