The decision-making process leading to Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's withdrawal from the INDIA bloc unfolded gradually, with initial indicators of discord within the Grand Alliance surfacing approximately a month prior. However, it was the events of January 13 that ultimately solidified Kumar's resolve to part ways with the opposition coalition.
Following his ninth oath-taking ceremony as Bihar's Chief Minister, Kumar cited internal disarray within the INDIA bloc as the impetus behind his departure, stating that "not everything was alright." Nonetheless, insider sources revealed to India Today TV that Kumar had already set his course to sever ties following a virtual meeting of the opposition coalition on January 13.
Reportedly disenchanted by the prolonged negotiations with the Congress regarding seat-sharing, Kumar harbored aspirations of assuming a leading role within the INDIA bloc, aspiring to be named as its coordinator. However, his aspirations were thwarted when Mallikarjun Kharge emerged as the opposition alliance's chairperson, following a proposal by Mamata Banerjee to nominate the Congress chief.
On the same day, sources disclosed that Nitish Kumar resolved to terminate the alliance, perturbed by the proceedings of the virtual conference. Expressing his disinterest in leadership roles, Kumar advocated for RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav to assume the position of convenor.
Despite Kumar's previous endeavors to rally opposition leaders nationwide against the BJP and his instrumental role in hosting the inaugural meeting of the INDIA bloc in Patna, speculation persisted regarding his national ambitions, albeit consistently refuted by the Chief Minister himself.
Following the pivotal decision on January 13, a trusted confidant of Nitish Kumar reached out to a senior Union Minister, subsequently receiving approval from the BJP central leadership. However, the BJP's Bihar faction initially hesitated to embrace Kumar's return to the NDA fold, recalling his prior defection from the alliance in 2022, earning him the epithet "Paltu Ram," before rejoining the RJD. The matter necessitated the convening of BJP state leaders in Delhi to resolve the impasse.
Cognizant of Kumar's shifting allegiances, the BJP strategically appointed Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha, both outspoken critics of Nitish Kumar, as deputy chief ministers, to exert greater control over him.
Moreover, as per the arrangement established during the 2020 government formation, the BJP is slated to receive increased representation in the Cabinet, albeit with the key Home Ministry portfolio retained by the Chief Minister. Additionally, discussions about seat distribution for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections are anticipated, with the JD(U)'s demand for 17 seats under the 2019 formula likely to be renegotiated due to the emergence of new allies such as the Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) and the dissolution of Ram Vilas Paswan's party. Consequently, both the BJP and JD(U) may need to recalibrate their expectations regarding the previously agreed-upon 17-17 seat allocation formula.
