Will Bihar See Maharashtra-like Political Turmoil?

The recent political turmoil in Maharashtra, where the ruling Shiv Sena split and joined hands with the opposition BJP, has raised speculations that a similar situation may arise in Bihar.

Reports suggest that the BJP is likely to set its sights on the Janata Dal (United) (JDU), which is currently in a ruling alliance with the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) in Bihar.

Political leaders from the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), including former deputy chief minister of Bihar Sushil Modi and Union minister Ramdas Athawale, have hinted at the likelihood of a rift in the JDU.

Modi claimed that JD(U) MLAs feel "betrayed" after Nitish Kumar severed a longstanding relationship with the BJP. He also said that the Bihar CM had ignored his MLAs in the last 17 years and is now meeting them individually, calling it "a sign of nervousness".

Athawale echoed Modi's sentiments, saying that "Maharashtra-like situation may erupt in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh as many MLAs are unhappy with Nitish Kumar joining hands with RJD". He also claimed that Rashtriya Lok Dal chief Jayant Chaudhary will join the NDA coalition as he didn't attend the recent opposition meeting in Patna.

Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) leader Chirag Paswan has also predicted a similar fate for Bihar. He claimed that Nitish Kumar will fail to complete his tenure as the chief minister and that several JD(U) leaders were in touch with him.

Rashtriya Lok Janata Dal (RJD) leader and former Union minister Upendra Kushwaha has been fanning the talk of likely merger of the JD-U and the RJD. He has claimed that the JD-U will be merged with the RJD soon, and thereafter, there will be an exodus of party leaders to join other parties.