A little over a fortnight after taking oath as the chief minister&nbsp;of the eastern state of Bihar for a record ninth time, this time again in alliance with the BJP, Janata Dal United chief Nitish Kumar&nbsp;will be seeking a trust vote in the state assembly on Monday (Feb 12). Ahead of the trust vote, JDU has issued a three-line whip to all of its MLAs to be present and vote for the alliance.&nbsp;

JDU's chief whip Shravan Kumar said that those defying the whip "will lose their membership" even as he maintained that it was a "routine exercise that takes place ahead of every assembly session".

Apart from JDU, former Bihar chief minister and Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) chief, Jitan Ram Manjhi has also issued a whip to the four MLAs of his party, instructing them to vote in favour of the NDA.&nbsp;

While the ruling party covers its bases, legislators of the opposition 'Mahagathbandhan' (Mega-alliance) started arriving at&nbsp;Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav's residence in Patna on Saturday (Feb 10).&nbsp;

After the meeting, some of the legislators were prevented from returning home. According to experts, RJD is wary of some MLAs ditching the party and joining NDA. Keeping them locked till the voting is a way to ensure the opposition is not further weakened.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/india-bihars-nitish-kumar-teams-up-with-bjp-jdu-exit-threatens-india-alliance-684623" target="_blank">Watch | India: Bihar's Nitish Kumar teams up with BJP | JDU exit threatens 'I.N.D.I.A' alliance</a>

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<h2>Nitish's return and INDIA bloc's doom&nbsp;</h2>

Nitish returning to the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) fold is not a new phenomenon and certainly not the first time the JP movement leader has taken a U-turn on his political allegiances.&nbsp;

In 2013, when Narendra Modi was announced as the BJP's PM candidate, an angry Kumar left the alliance, only to return in 2017 before breaking up again in 2022. His return this time around, however, has far-reaching consequences.&nbsp;

After Nitish switched allegiances, the fate of the INDIA bloc has been sealed. The opposition alliance was the last-ditch effort by the legacy parties to stop the BJP juggernaut.&nbsp;Bihar with&nbsp;40 Lok Sabha seats was the only state in the Hindi heartland where the INDIA bloc had its party in power.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/bihar-assembly-in-numbers-nda-now-backed-by-127-mlas-as-mahagathbandhan-collapses-684576" target="_blank">Also read | Bihar Assembly in numbers: NDA now backed by 127 MLAs as ‘Mahagathbandhan’ collapses</a>&nbsp;

However, with Nitish gone, there is a great probability that the BJP will sweep the region and further add to its riches.&nbsp;The INDIA alliance, cobbled together after much trouble in a bid to keep the BJP-led NDA at bay, is falling flat at the first hurdle of 'seat sharing', effectively depicting&nbsp;that it was set up for failure from the beginning.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

A little over a fortnight after taking oath as the chief minister of the eastern state of Bihar for a record ninth time, this time again in alliance with the BJP, Janata Dal United chief Nitish Kumar will be seeking a trust vote in the state assembly on Monday (Feb 12).

A little over a fortnight after taking oath as the chief minister of the eastern state of Bihar for a record ninth time, this time again in alliance with the BJP, Janata Dal United chief Nitish Kumar will be seeking a trust vote in the state assembly on Monday (Feb 12). Ahead of the trust vote, JDU has issued a three-line whip to all of its MLAs to be present and vote for the alliance. JDU's chief whip Shravan Kumar said that those defying the whip "will lose their membership" even as he maintained that it was a "routine exercise that takes place ahead of every assembly session". Apart from JDU, former Bihar chief minister and Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) chief, Jitan Ram Manjhi has also issued a whip to the four MLAs of his party, instructing them to vote in favour of the NDA. While the ruling party covers its bases, legislators of the opposition 'Mahagathbandhan' (Mega-alliance) started arriving at Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav's residence in Patna on Saturday (Feb 10). After the meeting, some of the legislators were prevented from returning home. According to experts, RJD is wary of some MLAs ditching the party and joining NDA. Keeping them locked till the voting is a way to ensure the opposition is not further weakened. Watch | India: Bihar's Nitish Kumar teams up with BJP | JDU exit threatens 'I.N.D.I.A' alliance Nitish's return and INDIA bloc's doom Nitish returning to the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) fold is not a new phenomenon and certainly not the first time the JP movement leader has taken a U-turn on his political allegiances. In 2013, when Narendra Modi was announced as the BJP's PM candidate, an angry Kumar left the alliance, only to return in 2017 before breaking up again in 2022. His return this time around, however, has far-reaching consequences. After Nitish switched allegiances, the fate of the INDIA bloc has been sealed. The opposition alliance was the last-ditch effort by the legacy parties to stop the BJP juggernaut. Bihar with 40 Lok Sabha seats was the only state in the Hindi heartland where the INDIA bloc had its party in power. Also read | Bihar Assembly in numbers: NDA now backed by 127 MLAs as ‘Mahagathbandhan’ collapses However, with Nitish gone, there is a great probability that the BJP will sweep the region and further add to its riches. The INDIA alliance, cobbled together after much trouble in a bid to keep the BJP-led NDA at bay, is falling flat at the first hurdle of 'seat sharing', effectively depicting that it was set up for failure from the beginning. (With inputs from agencies)

India: Ahead of Bihar floor test, JD (U) issues whip to MLAs, RJD locks up its legislators

In his&nbsp;first reaction to ally Nitish Kumar's exit from 'INDIA' alliance, and reconstitution of the Bihar government with BJP-led NDA, the outgoing&nbsp;deputy CM of the state Tejashwi Yadav accused Kumar of 'murdering' the hopes of the people by switching sides.

RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, son of party patriarch Lalu Yadav, told ANI: "Why should we not take credit for the work we have done?... The CM who used to say that it is impossible to give jobs, we gave jobs and showed that it is possible. We brought new policies in tourism, IT, and sports. The work that was done in 17 months could not be done in 17 years (of BJP-JDU rule). We did historic work in the 17 months..."

Yadav also hinted at more political developments in the state ahead of the General Elections in 2024 and said that 'the game is yet to begin'.

Describing Nitish Kumar as a 'tired CM', Yadav said, "What I say, I do...I can give you in writing that the JDU party will be finished in 2024. The public is with us..."

"I want to thank the BJP that it got ready to induct his party (JDU) in their alliance," he added.

After days of speculation, JD(U) chief Nitish Kumar resigned as the Chief Minister of Bihar on Sunday (Jan 28). The resignation came within 18 months. Hours later, Nitish took oath as Bihar CM for the ninth time and formed a new state government&nbsp;with BJP's support.

<h2>'The situation was not good': Nitish Kumar on breaking ties with RJD</h2>

"I have resigned as the CM today and have asked the Governor to put an end to this government. Party leaders were giving me advice. I heard what they said and have resigned. The situation was not good. So, we have broken ties," Nitish Kumar told reporters outside the Raj Bhavan.

Nitish Kumar has managed to retain his chief ministerial designation despite frequent flip-flops.

Also watch |&nbsp;Nitish Kumar stakes claim to form a new government in Bihar with BJP

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In the Bihar Assembly of 243, the RJD has 79 MLAs; followed by the BJP's 78; the JD(U)'s 45,&nbsp;the Congress'&nbsp;19, the CPI (M-L)'s 12, two each of the CPI(M) and CPI, the Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular)'s four seats, and the AIMIM's one, and an Independent legislator.

Nitish Kumar, after parting ways with the BJP in 2022, is credited to have united the opposition parties to jointly take on Prime Minister Modi and the BJP in the 2024 General Elections. The dynamics now stands sharply changed with Nitish back in the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance's fold.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

In his first reaction to ally Nitish Kumar's exit from 'INDIA' alliance, and reconstitution of the Bihar government with BJP-led NDA, the outgoing deputy CM of the state Tejashwi Yadav accused Kumar of 'murdering' the hopes of the people by switching sides.

In his first reaction to ally Nitish Kumar's exit from 'INDIA' alliance, and reconstitution of the Bihar government with BJP-led NDA, the outgoing deputy CM of the state Tejashwi Yadav accused Kumar of 'murdering' the hopes of the people by switching sides. RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, son of party patriarch Lalu Yadav, told ANI: "Why should we not take credit for the work we have done?... The CM who used to say that it is impossible to give jobs, we gave jobs and showed that it is possible. We brought new policies in tourism, IT, and sports. The work that was done in 17 months could not be done in 17 years (of BJP-JDU rule). We did historic work in the 17 months..." Yadav also hinted at more political developments in the state ahead of the General Elections in 2024 and said that 'the game is yet to begin'. Describing Nitish Kumar as a 'tired CM', Yadav said, "What I say, I do...I can give you in writing that the JDU party will be finished in 2024. The public is with us..." "I want to thank the BJP that it got ready to induct his party (JDU) in their alliance," he added. After days of speculation, JD(U) chief Nitish Kumar resigned as the Chief Minister of Bihar on Sunday (Jan 28). The resignation came within 18 months. Hours later, Nitish took oath as Bihar CM for the ninth time and formed a new state government with BJP's support. 'The situation was not good': Nitish Kumar on breaking ties with RJD "I have resigned as the CM today and have asked the Governor to put an end to this government. Party leaders were giving me advice. I heard what they said and have resigned. The situation was not good. So, we have broken ties," Nitish Kumar told reporters outside the Raj Bhavan. Nitish Kumar has managed to retain his chief ministerial designation despite frequent flip-flops. Also watch | Nitish Kumar stakes claim to form a new government in Bihar with BJP × In the Bihar Assembly of 243, the RJD has 79 MLAs; followed by the BJP's 78; the JD(U)'s 45, the Congress' 19, the CPI (M-L)'s 12, two each of the CPI(M) and CPI, the Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular)'s four seats, and the AIMIM's one, and an Independent legislator. Nitish Kumar, after parting ways with the BJP in 2022, is credited to have united the opposition parties to jointly take on Prime Minister Modi and the BJP in the 2024 General Elections. The dynamics now stands sharply changed with Nitish back in the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance's fold. (With inputs from agencies)

Nitish Kumar has ‘murdered’ hopes of Bihar by switching sides: Tejashwi Yadav

The BJP-led NDA swept Bihar, winning 39 out of 40 seats in the Lok Sabha elections. Meanwhile, Lalu Yadav’s RJD received a drubbing, unable to even open its account. &nbsp;

The celebrations, though, were short-lived as Nitish Kumar, unhappy with the number of berths allotted, opted out of the Modi 2.0 ministry. He didn’t like a token representation in the Cabinet. After all, if Ram Vilas Paswan’s LJP with six MPs got one cabinet rank, JD(U) surely deserved at-least three berths with its 16 MPs! &nbsp;

JD(U)’s logic is not unjustified. It feels that NDA’s stupendous performance is due to a combination of the Modi wave as well as Nitish’s popularity. The BJP feels that allies like JD(U) benefitted from the Presidential-style elections. BJP’s logic, too, is not unjustified.&nbsp;

But Nitish has a big ego. So he retorted by expanding the state cabinet and inducting eight new ministers from JD(U), leaving out the BJP. &nbsp;

A recent meeting of the JD (U) national executive has also held that the alliance with BJP is limited to Bihar and the party will contest Assembly elections in Delhi, Jharkhand, Haryana and Jammu and Kashmir alone. Needless to say, JD (U) will not be able to make much impact in any of these states, apart from fracturing the votes.

But it has definitely sent a signal that all is not well within the Bihar NDA. His prodigy and national vice-president, Prashant Kishor, has taken up the assignment of helping Mamata Banerjee in Bengal, where the BJP — emboldened by its Lok Sabha performance — has upped the ante for state elections that are due in 2021. &nbsp;

Nitish is one of the biggest paltu-rams (U-turn specialists) of Indian politics. His opponents allege he is power hungry and will do anything to remain in power. Narendra Modi and Nitish also do not share a harmonious relationship. Nitish left NDA in June 2013 after Modi was made the BJP Campaign Committee Chief and when it was clear that he would be the PM face. &nbsp;

After being routed in Lok Sabha 2014, where JD(U) could manage only two seats, Nitish made friends with his rival Lalu Yadav. The Mahagathbandhan comprising JD(U), RJD and the Congress stopped the BJP juggernaut in Bihar, with Nitish retaining the CM chair, dealing a hard blow to Modi. &nbsp;

In 2017, when Lalu and family were embroiled in fresh corruption cases, Nitish returned to the NDA, satisfied that he had proved a point to the Modi-Shah duo that he could win without their support. In 2019, he bargained hard with the BJP for seats, getting an equal number (17) to contest and won all, barring one. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Recent events have fuelled rumours that Nitish will junk the NDA and move back to friend-turned-foe Lalu again. He cannot stay in an alliance where he is not the bigger partner. Nitish fears BJP may play big brother during state polls next year and demand an equal number of seats — and even the chief minister’s chair — if it manages to win more seats than the JD(U). The Bihar chief minister fears that the BJP may do a Shiv Sena on JD(U). So, he is caught between a stronger Modi and weakened Lalu.

Lalu’s RJD recorded its worst performance ever in Lok Sabha polls. His daughter Misa again lost to Ram Kirpal Yadav. His two sons Tejaswi and Tej Pratap have fallen out, which is harming the party’s prospects. Lalu is languishing in jail, his health is failing and prospects of an early release are pretty dim. He may not be averse to accepting Nitish back to revive his party’s sagging fortunes, despite the backstabbing in 2017.

Nitish has a vote bank which is transferable to any alliance. In the 2014 Lok Sabha, JD(U) secured 16 per cent votes. In 2015, this vote was transferred to the Mahagathbandhan, which improved its vote share from 27 per cent to 43 per cent. In 2019, yet again, it was transferred to NDA, which pulled up its vote share from 36 per cent to 53 per cent. Nitish enjoys good clout among Kurmi, Koeris, MBCs, Mahadalits and even Muslims. His schemes and policies have built a solid woman vote bank, not unlike Modi.

Nitish could wait for the five state election results, including Delhi early next year, before taking a final call.

(This article was originally published on The DNA. Read the <a href="https://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/column-nitish-caught-between-a-strong-modi-and-weak-lalu-2760063">original article)</a>

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

The BJP-led NDA swept Bihar, winning 39 out of 40 seats in the Lok Sabha elections. Meanwhile, Lalu Yadav’s RJD received a drubbing, unable to even open its account.

The BJP-led NDA swept Bihar, winning 39 out of 40 seats in the Lok Sabha elections. Meanwhile, Lalu Yadav’s RJD received a drubbing, unable to even open its account. The celebrations, though, were short-lived as Nitish Kumar, unhappy with the number of berths allotted, opted out of the Modi 2.0 ministry. He didn’t like a token representation in the Cabinet. After all, if Ram Vilas Paswan’s LJP with six MPs got one cabinet rank, JD(U) surely deserved at-least three berths with its 16 MPs! JD(U)’s logic is not unjustified. It feels that NDA’s stupendous performance is due to a combination of the Modi wave as well as Nitish’s popularity. The BJP feels that allies like JD(U) benefitted from the Presidential-style elections. BJP’s logic, too, is not unjustified. But Nitish has a big ego. So he retorted by expanding the state cabinet and inducting eight new ministers from JD(U), leaving out the BJP. A recent meeting of the JD (U) national executive has also held that the alliance with BJP is limited to Bihar and the party will contest Assembly elections in Delhi, Jharkhand, Haryana and Jammu and Kashmir alone. Needless to say, JD (U) will not be able to make much impact in any of these states, apart from fracturing the votes. But it has definitely sent a signal that all is not well within the Bihar NDA. His prodigy and national vice-president, Prashant Kishor, has taken up the assignment of helping Mamata Banerjee in Bengal, where the BJP — emboldened by its Lok Sabha performance — has upped the ante for state elections that are due in 2021. Nitish is one of the biggest paltu-rams (U-turn specialists) of Indian politics. His opponents allege he is power hungry and will do anything to remain in power. Narendra Modi and Nitish also do not share a harmonious relationship. Nitish left NDA in June 2013 after Modi was made the BJP Campaign Committee Chief and when it was clear that he would be the PM face. After being routed in Lok Sabha 2014, where JD(U) could manage only two seats, Nitish made friends with his rival Lalu Yadav. The Mahagathbandhan comprising JD(U), RJD and the Congress stopped the BJP juggernaut in Bihar, with Nitish retaining the CM chair, dealing a hard blow to Modi. In 2017, when Lalu and family were embroiled in fresh corruption cases, Nitish returned to the NDA, satisfied that he had proved a point to the Modi-Shah duo that he could win without their support. In 2019, he bargained hard with the BJP for seats, getting an equal number (17) to contest and won all, barring one. Recent events have fuelled rumours that Nitish will junk the NDA and move back to friend-turned-foe Lalu again. He cannot stay in an alliance where he is not the bigger partner. Nitish fears BJP may play big brother during state polls next year and demand an equal number of seats — and even the chief minister’s chair — if it manages to win more seats than the JD(U). The Bihar chief minister fears that the BJP may do a Shiv Sena on JD(U). So, he is caught between a stronger Modi and weakened Lalu. Lalu’s RJD recorded its worst performance ever in Lok Sabha polls. His daughter Misa again lost to Ram Kirpal Yadav. His two sons Tejaswi and Tej Pratap have fallen out, which is harming the party’s prospects. Lalu is languishing in jail, his health is failing and prospects of an early release are pretty dim. He may not be averse to accepting Nitish back to revive his party’s sagging fortunes, despite the backstabbing in 2017. Nitish has a vote bank which is transferable to any alliance. In the 2014 Lok Sabha, JD(U) secured 16 per cent votes. In 2015, this vote was transferred to the Mahagathbandhan, which improved its vote share from 27 per cent to 43 per cent. In 2019, yet again, it was transferred to NDA, which pulled up its vote share from 36 per cent to 53 per cent. Nitish enjoys good clout among Kurmi, Koeris, MBCs, Mahadalits and even Muslims. His schemes and policies have built a solid woman vote bank, not unlike Modi. Nitish could wait for the five state election results, including Delhi early next year, before taking a final call. (This article was originally published on The DNA. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

Nitish Kumar, caught between a strong Modi and weak Lalu

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India: Ahead of Bihar floor test, JD (U) issues whip to MLAs, RJD locks up its legislators

Nitish Kumar has ‘murdered’ hopes of Bihar by switching sides: Tejashwi Yadav

Nitish Kumar, caught between a strong Modi and weak Lalu