In an exclusive conversation with India Today TV, political strategist Prashant Kishor delved into the intricate implications of Nitish Kumar's departure from the INDIA bloc, examining its reverberations for the ruling BJP and the potential ramifications on the Opposition's prospects in the upcoming 2024 elections.
The decision of Nitish Kumar to realign himself with the NDA coalition marks a setback for the Opposition's united front. However, Kishor scrutinized the significance of Kumar's "ghar wapasi" to the NDA fold for the impending 2024 polls, suggesting that the BJP's strategic maneuver of reintegrating Nitish Kumar reflects a calculated move aimed at sacrificing a short-term battle to secure a long-term victory.
During an exclusive interaction with India Today TV's Consulting Editor Rajdeep Sardesai, Prashant Kishor elucidated, "Nitish Kumar's presence within the Opposition bloc, in essence, wasn't a game-changer. Independently, he didn't bring about a seismic shift. However, in terms of perception, there were those who perceived him as a pivotal component of the burgeoning oppositional force. By reclaiming him, the BJP has opted for a strategy of conceding a skirmish to triumph in the larger conflict."
Kishor remarked that he didn't believe the BJP's motivation behind reinstating Nitish Kumar was solely to bolster their seat tally in Bihar. "By nullifying one of the chief architects of the oppositional alliance in Bihar, the BJP has administered a psychological setback to the Opposition," he asserted.
He further elaborated, emphasizing, "It's not so much a tangible gain for the BJP as it is a psychological blow to the Opposition. The BJP was already positioned advantageously. With this tactical move of Nitish switching allegiances, it has inflicted a psychological setback upon the Opposition."
Kishor also reflected on the timing of the formation of the INDIA bloc, opining that its establishment could have occurred earlier. "The opposition parties were cognizant of the looming Lok Sabha elections in 2024. Had they forged the alliance (INDIA) in 2022 or 2021, they would have had ample time to resolve internal dynamics," he remarked.
In an earlier interview with AajTak following Nitish Kumar's assumption of office as Bihar's Chief Minister for the record ninth time, Prashant Kishor prognosticated a "clean sweep" for the BJP-led alliance in the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections.
Nevertheless, he also criticized the JD(U) chief for departing from the Mahagathbandhan, comprising the RJD and the Congress, contending that Kumar was embarking on the "final innings" of his political career.
"The electorate has repudiated him. Consequently, he's willing to resort to any measure to safeguard his position," Kishor remarked.
In an interview in Begusarai with AajTak's Chitra Tripathi, Kishor asserted that the political turbulence in Bihar was orchestrated by the BJP to dismantle the oppositional INDIA bloc.
