NEW DELHI: On the eve of the crucial counting day in Bihar on November 14, confusion and unease have gripped the top ranks of the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) over how to deal with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar if the party fails to emerge as the single largest formation.
The high-stakes Bihar Assembly election, touted as a prestige battle for the BJP, has unexpectedly reopened internal fissures between the party’s state and central leadership over strategy, leadership, and future alliances.
According to senior BJP sources, the “Nitish factor” has created deep ripples within both the Bihar BJP and the Rastriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) circles. The core point of contention, insiders say, is the political gamble the party took by not projecting Nitish Kumar as the chief ministerial face, despite strong grassroots support for him among a section of the BJP cadre and voters.
A top BJP functionary in Patna admitted that the leadership may have underestimated Nitish Kumar’s continuing political relevance. “The central leadership was determined to establish BJP’s independent identity in Bihar”.
“But in hindsight, side lining Nitish may prove costly,” the functionary said, hinting that the BJP may not be entirely opposed to backing Nitish Kumar for another term if the numbers demand it.
When asked, senior leaders pointed out that BJP president J.P. Nadda had already addressed the issue, maintaining that any decision on the chief ministership would be taken after the results. However, the growing anxiety in the party camp is unmistakable. Internal assessments reportedly indicate that several sitting ministers and both deputy chief ministers belonging to the BJP are facing tough contests in their respective constituencies.
If the BJP’s seat tally slips below its 2020 performance, it would significantly weaken its claim to the chief minister’s post and could push the party to consider post-poll realignments. “If the numbers don’t add up, it will be difficult for the central leadership to insist on a BJP chief minister,” a party insider conceded.
Political observers believe that if the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) emerges as the single largest party — with Congress improving its tally — the momentum could swing decisively in Tejashwi Yadav’s favour. The RJD, sources say, has already chalked out an aggressive post-result strategy to counter any BJP manoeuvre and secure majority support swiftly.
As Bihar awaits the counting of votes on Friday, the BJP finds itself caught in a classic political bind — whether to hold on to its solo ambition or to pragmatically embrace Nitish Kumar once again to retain a foothold in the state’s complex power structure.
[Writer is Senior Journalist and Political Commentator]
All Picture credit social media
