Bihar Chief Minister and Janata Dal United (JDU) leader Nitish Kumar is once again in talks to switch sides. According to sources from the opposition alliance, Nitish might resign as the Chief Minister today and form a new government with the support of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The sources also mentioned that Nitish could hold a meeting with JDU legislators on Sunday morning and then submit his resignation to the Governor. A new government with BJP’s support could be formed by the evening. The two Deputy Chief Ministers from BJP might also take oath along with Nitish. The position of the Speaker of the Assembly could also be given to BJP. However, no official announcement has been made regarding BJP’s support to Nitish.
If Nitish Kumar resigns as the Chief Minister today and forms a new government with BJP, he will switch sides for the second time within 18 months. In August 2022, Nitish had broken the alliance with BJP and formed a government with Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Congress. At that time, he had accused BJP of trying to break the alliance with JDU.
Sources have stated that considering the political events, the Raj Bhavan has been asked to be ready to open on Sunday. Nitish Kumar had informed his close allies about his next steps a few days ago. However, the Chief Minister has remained silent on the political developments in Bihar so far.
According to sources, BJP President JP Nadda will be present during Nitish Kumar’s oath-taking ceremony. Union Home Minister Amit Shah might also attend the ceremony, canceling his two-day visit to West Bengal. Several other BJP leaders are also likely to be present during the oath-taking ceremony.
Meanwhile, the RJD, which is part of the Nitish government, has become active considering the changing events. RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav has attempted to bring JD(U) MLA Jeetan Ram Manjhi into the fold. He has instructed the MLAs to stay in Patna and keep their phones on. The main party of the Mahagathbandhan, RJD, has left the decision regarding future actions in Bihar’s political scenario to its supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav.
Earlier, JDU spokesperson KC Tyagi had stated in Delhi that the Mahagathbandhan government in Bihar could fall anytime. He accused the Congress leadership of insulting Nitish Kumar and stated that the
बिहार के मुख्यमंत्री और जदयू अध्यक्ष नीतीश कुमार के सीएम पद से इस्तीफा देने की संभावना है। नीतीश कुमार आज जदयू विधायकों के साथ बैठक कर सकते हैं और इसके बाद राज्यपाल को अपना इस्तीफा सौंप सकते हैं। भाजपा ने नीतीश को समर्थन का फैसला किया है और शपथ ग्रहण में भाजपा अध्यक्ष जेपी नड्डा और केंद्रीय गृह मंत्री अमित शाह भी शामिल हो सकते हैं। इसके साथ ही राजद ने भी सक्रियता दिखाई है और बिहार में खेला होने की बात कही है।
