Bihar Politics: Is Nitish Kumar To Resign On Sunday? RJD And Congress Brace For Political Turbulence

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar will likely resign from his post by noon on Sunday, according to sources informed India Today TV.

Additionally, it is anticipated that several Congress MLAs will accompany him amid the ongoing political turmoil in the state.

Photo Credit: PTI

Will the Bihar government fall tomorrow?

Amidst the political upheaval in Bihar, there is widespread speculation about Nitish Kumar contemplating a departure from the Mahagathbandhan government, a coalition led by Lalu Yadav's RJD, and the possibility of rejoining the BJP-led NDA, from which he had previously resigned less than two years ago.

Efforts are being made by the RJD to muster support and create a narrative that the party is not conceding defeat easily. Additionally, strategies are being devised to address the situation if Nitish Kumar resumes the role of Chief Minister. Plans are underway to raise the matter in the Bihar Assembly during a trust motion scheduled for the budget session on February 5.

Scheduled for Sunday at 10 am, BJP legislators, MPs, functionaries, and office bearers in Bihar are gearing up for a meeting, guided by the strategy of waiting for Nitish Kumar to tender his resignation. Following Kumar's resignation, the BJP is poised to take prompt action by calling for a legislative party meeting.

Subsequently, both JD(U) and BJP will assert their claims to form the government in Bihar as part of the NDA alliance, spearheaded by the saffron party. The swearing-in ceremony may take place a day later, and the BJP is anticipated to have two deputy Chief Ministers in the state.

Potential Political Shift in Bihar

Sources have indicated that there is a likelihood of Nitish Kumar taking the oath as Bihar Chief Minister in the JD(U)-BJP alliance on Sunday, with BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi poised to return as his deputy. In response to the evolving political scenario in Bihar, BJP veteran Sushil Modi remarked on Friday that "closed doors can open," characterizing politics as "a game of possibilities." However, he refrained from delving into specific details on the matter.

Relations between JD(U) and RJD have soured, reaching a climax after Lalu Yadav's daughter Rohini Acharya criticized Nitish Kumar on January 25 for his 'dynasty politics' remark, leading to a strain in their alliance. Nitish Kumar's remarks about 'parivarvad' had created discord with the RJD.

Nitish Kumar's potential return to the BJP-led NDA would significantly impact the Opposition-headed INDIA alliance, where he holds a pivotal role. In an exclusive interview with India Today TV on Friday, Samajwadi Party (SP) supremo Akhilesh Yadav stated that had Nitish Kumar remained with the INDIA bloc, he could have become the Prime Minister.

Akhilesh Yadav also accused the Congress of lacking enthusiasm and not doing enough to keep INDIA bloc members content. The INDIA alliance faces internal discord due to unsuccessful seat-sharing talks, leading to a rupture. The Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo and West Bengal Chief Minister recently announced that her party would go solo in the Lok Sabha polls in the state, citing the breakdown of seat-sharing discussions.

Similarly, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has rejected an alliance with the Congress in Punjab, with Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann asserting that the party would secure victory in all 13 Lok Sabha seats in the state. Sources suggest that Nitish Kumar is discontented with the INDIA bloc due to the failure of seat-sharing talks.