Patna: Nitish Kumar will take oath as the Chief Minister of Bihar for the tenth time today at Gandhi Maidan, marking yet another milestone in his long political journey. Despite the BJP emerging as the single largest party in the Bihar Assembly for the first time, the party opted to retain Nitish Kumar as the head of the government. The BJP has also decided to continue with both its Deputy Chief Ministers — Samrat Chaudhary and Vijay Sinha.
The decision comes after the NDA secured a sweeping mandate in the Assembly elections, winning 202 out of 243 seats. The BJP bagged 89 seats, followed closely by the JD(U) with 85, while LJP(R) secured 19, HAM (S) 5, and RLM 4. The Grand Alliance was reduced to 35 seats, marking a significant shift in Bihar’s political landscape.
As Nitish Kumar prepares to take charge again, political observers highlight four key reasons behind the BJP’s decision to back him as Chief Minister.
1. Nitish Kumar as the Face of the Campaign
Throughout the poll campaign, the BJP projected Nitish Kumar’s leadership prominently. Top leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, repeatedly invoked his name to counter the Opposition’s questions over the NDA’s chief ministerial face. Amit Shah, while addressing a rally on October 29 in Darbhanga, dismissed doubts raised by the Grand Alliance, asserting that the leadership question was settled.
Political analysts believe the NDA’s decisive victory reflects voter confidence in Nitish Kumar, making his continuation as Chief Minister a natural outcome.
2. BJP Lacks a Strong Statewide Leader
Despite its growth in Bihar, the BJP does not yet have a leader with Nitish Kumar’s statewide acceptability. Senior journalists argue that the party continues to face a leadership vacuum, particularly following the passing of veteran OBC leader Sushil Kumar Modi.
Analysts say the BJP, which has often played junior partner to Nitish Kumar, has not cultivated a single leader with significant influence across Bihar. In such a scenario, Nitish remains the most viable option to lead the government.
3. Risk of Losing EBC and Kurmi Support
Nitish Kumar wields strong influence among Kurmi, Extremely Backward Class (EBC), and Mahadalit voters — groups central to Bihar’s political arithmetic. His personal vote share, estimated at around 15 per cent, remains stable irrespective of alliance shifts.
Experts caution that removing Nitish Kumar abruptly could alienate these communities, a risk the BJP is unwilling to take as it seeks long-term consolidation in the state. Some analysts also point out that Nitish has not groomed a clear successor within the JD(U), which could lead to internal instability and voter drift — a situation that currently benefits the BJP.
4. Stability Factor in the Central Government
The JD(U) is also a key constituent of the BJP-led NDA at the Centre, contributing 12 Lok Sabha seats to the alliance. The NDA currently holds 292 seats in the 543-member House, just above the majority mark of 272.
If the JD(U) were to switch sides, the NDA would still retain 280 seats, but such a move could create doubts among other allies and project political instability. Retaining Nitish Kumar, therefore, helps maintain cohesion within the broader alliance.
With the oath-taking ceremony set for later today, Bihar’s political scene is poised for yet another chapter under Nitish Kumar’s stewardship — a familiar yet strategically crucial choice for the BJP as it looks to strengthen its hold in the state.
