Nitish Kumar’s swinging affections for BJP and RJD  

There are many commonalities between Nitish Kumar’s relationships with the BJP and the RJD

In the next few days, Janata Dal (United) leader Nitish Kumar will be sworn in for the eighth time as Chief Minister of Bihar. It won’t be the first or even the last somersault for Mr. Kumar. Since November 2005 when he began his first full term as Chief Minister trouncing the RJD government he has been trapesing between the allies without letting go the Chief Minister’s chair. 

There are many commonalities between his relationships with the BJP and the RJD. He has been in alliance with both, though far too longer one with the BJP. He has snapped ties with both and returned to them even after bitter and very public break up. 

 Nitish Kumar and Lalu Prasad Yadav’s association dates back to university days. He campaigned for Mr. Yadav when he contested and won the post of President of Patna University Student’s Union in 1973. In 1989, he assisted Mr. Yadav once again, this time to take the position of leader of the opposition after the death of socialist leader Karpoori Thakur, in a deeply divided Lok Dal in the State. A year later, Mr. Kumar played the role of key advocate for Mr. Yadav in a keenly contested battle within Janata Dal for the Chief Minister’s post propelling Mr. Yadav to the post in March 1990, for the first time. 

But within two years of this battle, the spell had broken, and Mr. Kumar and Mr. Yadav were no longer on talking terms. From being a cheerleader Mr. Kumar had now taken on the role of a dissenter. In part, the disenchantment grew, because of what Mr. Kumar called Mr. Yadav’s dictatorial ways.  

The final break came only in April 1994. A group of 14 Janata Dal MPs revolted against Lalu Prasad Yadav lining up behind socialist stalwart George Fernandes - christening themselves Janata Dal (George). 

While Fernandes was the face of the group, Mr. Kumar was the key creator. On 19 October 1994, this group renamed itself Samata Party with a ringing call- Bihar Bachao (save Bihar) from Mr. Yadav’s clutches. With this began, Mr. Kumar’s 21-year-long feud with Mr. Yadav. His rebellion did not bear immediate fruit. In 1995 Bihar assembly election the newly formed Samata Party was left biting the dust with just seven seats 

It was sometime after this ignominious defeat that Mr. Kumar met then President of BJP L K Advani and in no time an alliance was consolidated between the two on the foundation of anti-Lalu Yadav sentiment. While Mr. Kumar is accused of being an opportunist, it is a fact, that his association with the BJP in just the sheer number of years, exceeds any other political relationship. In all these years, the BJP willingly assisted him on his way to 1 Aney Marg, the Chief Minister’s residence in Patna.