Nitish explains switch but are Bihar voters buying?

PATNA: Less than a year ago, Bihar CM Nitish Kumar stood as a towering figure, hailed as opposition's strongest contender against PM Narendra Modi. Today, Kumar is embroiled in a whirlwind of political manoeuvres, dedicating efforts to reassure the PM and the BJP brass, along with his own loyalists, of his steadfast allegiance to the saffron alliance.
During a recent appearance with Modi in Aurangabad, Kumar sought to allay any doubts, beseeching, "I may have wandered idhar udhar (off the path) momentarily, but rest assured, I have returned to NDA for good." His words, met with muffled smirks from Modi and Bihar governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, underscored the delicate dance of alliances in the state.

With Bihar in the grip of fervour, Kumar takes centre stage at numerous rallies, sharing platforms with BJP's star campaigners. Yet, amid the speeches, Kumar's reassurances of permanence within the NDA ring hollow to many ears. Familiar with his history of political acrobatics, the electorate responds with a knowing smile, mindful of past pledges quickly forgotten.
"People haven't forgotten how Nitish once made a statement in the assembly that 'hum mitti mein mil jayenge, lekin BJP ke saath nahi jayenge (I will prefer to get buried rather than return to BJP)'. However, Nitish returned to BJP twice after that unequivocal declaration," remarks Rajesh Rathorre, spokesperson for Bihar Pradesh Congress Committee, emphasising the erosion of Kumar's credibility.

During the 2010 assembly polls, Nitish unequivocally rejected BJP's suggestion to enlist Modi, then the CM of Gujarat, for campaigning in Bihar. Despite BJP's eagerness to deploy Modi to bolster their prospects, Kumar warned his presence would alienate Muslims as Modi was under scrutiny for his alleged failure to quell the post-Godhra riots in 2002.
Now, JD(U) is contesting just 16 of 40 seats in Bihar, a fairly diminished share compared to previous polls. Despite this, Kumar appears surprisingly content with the arrangement. His evolution from staunch opposition to compliant ally speaks volumes of his diminished stature.
A BJP functionary whispers that JD(U) candidates want Modi and home minister Amit Shah at rallies. In numerous regions, party workers promote BJP's campaign, carrying posters of the PM and seeking votes in Modi's name.

At 73, as Kumar navigates this treacherous terrain, his political mettle faces its sternest test yet. With every rally and every assurance, Kumar attempts to defy the scepticism surrounding his allegiance, but whether he can emerge unscathed from Bihar's political labyrinth remains to be seen.
As the campaign trail winds its way through Bihar's hinterland, Kumar's past declarations haunt him. "Referring to the then Bihar deputy CM Sushil Kumar Modi, Nitish had also said 'What is the need of another Modi when Bihar has one of its own'," recalls Uday Shankar Chaudhary, a political analyst closely observing JD(U)'s trajectory ever since the party was forged on Oct 30, 2003.
Today, however, Kumar finds himself tethered to BJP's agenda, his aspirations for political autonomy overshadowed by exigencies of coalition politics. He now echoes BJP's "400 Paar" slogan for Modi, a departure from his previous prediction that BJP would be limited to 50 seats if a united opposition emerged.
Initially eyeing contests in UP, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur and even Lakshadweep, this election is pivotal for JD(U), as it now concentrates solely on Bihar, relinquishing its efforts in other states after BJP's denial of seat-sharing outside the state.
With each passing day, the political landscape in Bihar evolves, presenting new challenges & opportunities for Kumar and his allies. As the polls meander through the phases, the stakes continue to rise, with the outcome poised to shape the trajectory of Bihar's political landscape. In the new New Great Game of Indian politics, where alliances are forged and fragmented with alarming frequency, Kumar's journey from 'paltu ram' to potential kingmaker is far from over.