Summary: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar firmly endorsed Narendra Modi for a third term as Prime Minister, pivoting from the opposition bloc he helped form. Kumar took a swipe at his former allies, criticizing their lack of action for the country. With the BJP falling short of a majority, Kumar’s support becomes crucial for government formation. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Modi launched a scathing attack on the Congress. Kumar’s unwavering support for Modi strengthens the BJP-led NDA’s position, while the opposition bloc strategizes its next move.
In a bold move signaling his allegiance, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar endorsed Narendra Modi for a third term as Prime Minister at a recent meeting of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance’s newly-elected MPs. This endorsement comes as a significant pivot for Kumar, who just months ago, played a pivotal role in forming the Congress-led INDIA opposition bloc. His departure from the opposition bloc to the BJP’s side was underscored by his critics dubbing him ‘paltu Kumar’ or ‘turncoat Kumar’.
Kumar didn’t mince words as he took a jab at his former allies, stating that the INDIA bloc “has not done any work for the country”. This statement comes amidst speculation that the opposition bloc had reached out to him, seeking his support. In response, Kumar firmly declared, “I will be with PM at all times,” shutting down speculations of another political U-turn.
His endorsement of Modi is crucial, especially considering the fragmented nature of the current political landscape. With the BJP falling short of the majority mark on its own, Kumar’s Janata Dal United (JDU) along with Chandrababu Naidu’s Telugu Desam Party (TDP) emerge as key players. Their combined 28 MPs will be instrumental for the BJP to form and sustain the government.
Speculation of a potential reunion between Kumar and the INDIA bloc surfaced recently, fueled by the BJP’s failure to secure a majority. However, Kumar remained tight-lipped on the matter, leaving room for conjecture. Sources close to Kumar dismissed these rumors, highlighting the unresolved issue of his appointment as the Convenor of the INDIA bloc, which ultimately led to his exit.
Despite maintaining silence on the matter, Kumar’s demands are clear. The JDU expects two cabinet and a junior Union Minister berth, along with a common minimum program, in exchange for their support. Notably, the Railways Minister post, previously held by Kumar, is among the positions the party is eyeing.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Modi wasted no time in launching a scathing attack on the opposition, particularly targeting the Congress. He ridiculed the party for its inability to secure more than 100 seats in the past three Lok Sabha elections.
As the political drama unfolds, Kumar’s unwavering support for Modi solidifies the BJP-led NDA’s position, while leaving the opposition bloc scrambling to regroup and strategize their next move. In this high-stakes political landscape, Kumar’s allegiance proves to be a significant factor shaping the future of Indian politics.
