By Diana George

Copyright timesnownews

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has once again pledged loyalty to the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), declaring at a rally in Purnea on Monday, in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, that he is “not going anywhere” and will remain with the NDA. Welcoming PM Modi, who was in Purnea to address a rally, Nitish said, “I once again congratulate and thank him. He is doing so much for the entire country and also for Bihar. I also express my gratitude to all the dignitaries present here. The amount of work he has done for Bihar is a very big thing.” PM Modi In Purnea PM Modi was in Purnea, Bihar on Monday as the NDA kickstarts its campaign in the state that goes to polls in October-November this year. PM Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of multiple development projects worth around Rs 36,000 crore in Purnea. Nitish Kumar’s History Of Flip-Flops In March this year, Nitish Kumar openly admitted his history of shifting political allegiances. Speaking at a Cooperative department event at Bapu Auditorium in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, he said, “I made a mistake twice, but this will not happen again.” Kumar’s remark was seen as an acknowledgement of his multiple political flip-flops. Nitish Kumar’s Exit From INDIA Bloc In January 2024 In January 2024, Kumar resigned as Bihar CM, walking out of the Mahagathbandhan and the INDIA bloc he had helped stitch together. “I have submitted my resignation as Bihar CM today. I have also asked the Governor to dissolve the government. Things were not working out well,” he told reporters outside Raj Bhavan after submitting his resignation. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, reacting to his exit, said, “Knew it would happen.” Nitish Kumar Criticises Grand Alliance And INDIA Bloc Kumar later explained his disillusionment: “The new Grand Alliance that we created (in August 2022) in the state is not in a good condition. The situation is not looking good.” JD(U) leader KC Tyagi was more scathing, saying, “Aaj hum mukt hue,” while accusing allies of trying to take credit for JD(U)’s work. Kumar also criticised the INDIA bloc, saying, “I was hurt. I left the INDIA alliance. I have been working hard to make a successful, meaningful (INDIA) alliance, but no one else (in the alliance) has been doing anything … I was making an all-out effort to make the INDIA bloc running, but I received no response. People are not happy.” He added, “You all know how I came to this alliance and also how I worked to bring together so many parties. But of late, things were not working well. It was not going down well with those in my party as well … Nobody was doing anything after the alliance was formed. INDIA bloc failed my expectations.” Nitish Kumar Sidelined By INDIA Bloc? Political analysts suggested Kumar felt sidelined in the INDIA bloc, particularly after TMC chief Mamata Banerjee and AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal proposed Mallikarjun Kharge as chairman of the alliance and its PM face. Kumar had reportedly refused to accept any other role. Tyagi backed this claim, alleging, “Congress wanted to steal the leadership of INDIA bloc. In the meeting that took place on December 19, a conspiracy was hatched to appropriate the leadership of INDIA bloc, as Mallikarjun Kharge’s name was proposed (as PM).” He further said, “Earlier, in the meeting in Mumbai, it was unanimously decided that the bloc carry its principal agenda forward without naming a PM face. However, as part of a well-thought-out plan, (West Bengal CM and TMC chief) Mamata Banerjee proposed Kharge’s name as PM (with Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal seconding it). While we pressed for seat-sharing talks at the earliest, the Congress kept dragging their feet and delaying it. INDIA failed to come up with a definite plan or roadmap to fight the BJP.” Congress And RJD Slam Nitish Kumar For Flip-Flops Kumar’s return to the NDA in January 2024 — his fourth switch in 11 years — triggered sharp reactions from rivals. Congress said he was giving “tough competition to chameleons.” Kharge remarked, “Earlier he and us were fighting together. When I spoke to Lalu and Tejashwi, they also said that Nitish is going. If he wanted to stay, he would have stayed, but he wants to go. This information was already given to us by Lalu Prasad Yadav and Tejashwi Yadav. Today that has come true. There are many people in the country like ‘Aaya Ram-Gaya Ram’.” Congress leader Jairam Ramesh added on X, “Nitish Kumar, who frequently changes political partners, is giving tough competition to the chameleons in changing colours.” Lalu Prasad Yadav’s daughter Rohini Acharya was more blunt, writing on X, “The trash has been consigned to the dustbin.” Nitish Kumar Sworn In As Bihar CM For Record Ninth Time Despite criticism, Kumar was sworn in as CM for a record ninth time in January 2024, just hours after resigning. Governor Rajendra Arlekar administered the oath of office at Raj Bhavan. Eight new ministers also took oath in the NDA government. NDA Seat-Sharing Talks Ahead Of Bihar Assembly Elections 2025 Ahead of the October-November 2025 Bihar Assembly elections, NDA partners are negotiating a seat-sharing formula. Sources suggest BJP and JD(U) may contest around 101-102 seats together, while smaller allies could get 10-20 seats each. The LJP(RV), led by Chirag Paswan, is reportedly unhappy with its proposed share of 20 seats, while Jitan Ram Manjhi’s HAM and Upendra Kushwaha’s RLM may get about 10 seats each. The NDA in Bihar currently comprises BJP, JD(U), LJP(RV), and HAM.