BJP’S SOLO AMBITION BACKFIRES AS NITISH EYES POST-POLL REALIGNMENT IN BIHAR
NEW DELHI: As the second phase of the Bihar Assembly concluded on Tuesday on 122 seats, the political focus has now firmly shifted to the counting of votes on November 14.. However, the post-poll atmosphere is charged with allegations of unfair practices and attempts to influence voters — reports of which have surfaced from multiple districts.
The stakes are particularly high for the BJP, which had projected confidence in forming a government on its own this time. But political analysts believe that this aggressive stance has backfired, unsettling the party’s alliance dynamics with the Janata Dal (United).
According to ground reports, BJP’s premature push for a solo majority has hurt its own support base and alienated sections of voters who traditionally backed the NDA.
In many constituencies, especially in north and central Bihar, a significant section of the electorate appears to have swung towards the Mahagathbandhan, led by the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and the Congress. The alliance seems to have capitalized on both anti-incumbency sentiments and internal rifts within the NDA camp.
Interestingly, political circles in Patna are abuzz with talk that the BJP is quietly promoting senior JDU leader Lalan Singh, a veteran Bhumihar leader known for his organizational clout. Once a close aide of Nitish Kumar, Lalan Singh is now seen as leaning towards the BJP high command, particularly Home Minister Amit Shah.
Observers interpret this as the BJP’s attempt to create an alternative leadership option within the JDU, should relations with Nitish continue to sour.
Reliable sources within the JDU camp confirm that Nitish Kumar is visibly upset with the BJP’s central leadership. His decision to skip the Prime Minister’s Patna roadshow has further fueled speculation about a widening rift between the two allies. “Nitishji has not forgotten how the BJP undermined his authority in the last coalition. This time, he’s watching every move closely,” said a senior JDU insider.
Political maneuvering is already underway for a potential post-poll realignment. Highly placed sources suggest that the RJD supremo, Lalu Prasad Yadav, may be open to extending outside support to Nitish Kumar if it becomes necessary to keep the BJP out of power. “Laluji and Nitish may have had their differences, but both share a common interest — preventing BJP’s complete dominance in Bihar politics,” said a Patna-based analyst.
As Bihar awaits the results, the state appears to be on the cusp of another political churn, reminiscent of the unpredictable coalitions of its past. The final outcome may not just decide who governs Bihar, but also signal the future trajectory of opposition unity ahead of the national political contests to come.
[Writer is Senior Journalist and Political Commentator]
All pictures credit social media
Umakant Lakhera is a Senior Journalist and Political Commentator
