The INDIA Bloc’s rejection of Nitish Kumar’s prime ministerial aspirations has left the Bihar CM in a challenging predicament. KC Tyagi, a leader of the Janta Dal (United), proclaimed today that Nitish Kumar embodies the ideology of the INDIA Bloc as its ‘convenor’ and ‘Prime Minister.’ Tyagi’s statement followed the JD(U)’s decision to sideline Lalan Singh as national president, reinstating Nitish Kumar at the helm. Tyagi emphasized that the JDU maintains a policy-level distinction from the BJP and does not view the party as an adversary.
Contrastingly, Nitish Kumar’s former ally, Prashant Kishor, made significant assertions, asserting that Nitish Kumar now has no alternative but to participate in the upcoming polls as part of the INDIA alliance. Kishor went further, characterizing Nitish Kumar as being in the twilight of his political career, a substantial liability in the political arena. He contended that Kumar finds himself in a precarious situation, with no viable options for a political switch. Kishor explained, “Nitish Kumar has become a burden as a politician, and anyone who takes him will get buried under that burden.”
With Kumar’s political influence waning, particularly after the INDIA Bloc overlooked him for the PM candidacy and convenor role, the JD(U) sought to bolster his standing within the opposition alliance. The removal of Lalan Singh, a close aide to RJD, from the post of national president signaled the party’s discontent with how Mallikarjun Kharge’s name was presented, sidelining Nitish Kumar in the last INDIA Bloc meeting. Despite leaving the meeting alongside Lalu Yadav with evident displeasure, it does not imply a strain in their close political alliance. JDU leaders questioned why RJD remained silent when Congress marginalized Nitish Kumar. Lalan Singh, who had asserted publicly that all was well within the INDIA alliance, bore the consequences and was ousted from the post.
Nitish Kumar, who regarded Atal Bihari Vajpayee as his mentor and Arun Jaitley as his guide, took steps to fortify his position by removing Lalan Singh. JDU leaders cautioned Nitish that Singh’s influence under RJD could weaken the party and its leadership. Kumar subtly signaled to Lalu Yadav not to perceive him as weak, asserting the transient nature of friendships and enmities in politics. Simultaneously, he endeavored to remind Congress and Rahul Gandhi that as a disciple of Jai Prakash, who initiated the new opposition alliance, he cannot be overlooked, especially with the Congress’s decline in the Hindi belt.
