‘Shifting Nitish From Bihar to Centre is Betrayal of Electoral Mandate’

Surendra Yadav, a native of Bihar who studies in Lucknow University, says there is anger among JD(U) core supporters who believe that BJP has arm-twisted Nitish. His views:

One thing is clear and it is, by and large, the general perception in the khanti (die-hard) voters and supporters of Nitish Kumar – the move is somewhat perceived as a betrayal of the mandate. The Bihar electorate chose the NDA coalition in the 2025 Assemby elections on the premise that Nitish will continue as the leader of the government. For his core voters in his constituency Nalanda and across Bihar, there is a general sentiment against his voluntary move with some also of the view that he has been forced to do so and his Twitter ID was hacked to announce the move forcibly on his behalf.

For most of the last two decades, Nitish cultivated one of the strongest women vote banks in the country through welfare schemes, reservations in government jobs and local bodies, and the controversial but widely supported prohibition on alcohol. There is also a strange and genuine concern of women, who have been a key, loyal constituency for him mainly because of the prohibition (liquor ban) policy. They are also expressing fear that his departure may lead to the dilution or removal of prohibition.

While Nitish has promised full guidance and support to the new set of governance, the transition will definitely lead to an ideological takeover of the state politics as BJP now moves from a supportive to a more dominant big brother. Though nothing could be predicted as of now, the current administrative framework for law and order which truly won Nitish the `Sushashan Babu’ tag, is likely to be maintained and further strengthened.  

With BJP getting its first CM in Bihar and at present in charge of key portfolios including home, land and revenue and health, it is likely that the BJP takes full credit for governance, moving away from the “Nitish Model” to a more direct, BJP-centric administration. Bihar may now witness a shift towards a more aggressive administrative style, including increased, rapid land acquisition and infrastructure development.

On the other hand, the entry of Nitish’s son Nishant Kumar could well serve as a pacifier for the people of Bihar and core supporters of JDU as he appears to be as gentle and suave as his father. Though as per the speculations, he is set to join the government as the deputy CM, it is now upon the senior, committed and loyal leaders of JDU and Nitish to polish and mentor him so that, in future, he could step in the shoes of his father with the same grit and authority. However, it will be an uphill task for Nishant to prove himself as the real successor of his father as Nitish is a leader who rose from rubbles and struggles and Nishant, in a way, is parachuting to an already strong platform with a responsibility to carry on the legacy further.

As told to Rajat Rai