Nitish Kumar Breaks Silence Why I’ll Stay With NDA for Good
Nitish Kumar Vows Loyalty to NDA: No More U-Turns, I’m Here to Stay
Bihar CM Opens Up About His Political Journey, Changing Alliances, and Why He’s Staying With BJP for Good
Nitish Kumar Says He’s Done Changing Sides
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar made a strong political statement on Sunday, putting an end to speculations about his ever-changing alliances. Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the Khelo India Youth Games, the JD(U) leader assured the public that he will remain with the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and won’t switch sides again.
“I am going to remain here always,” he said, signaling the end of his frequent political flip-flops.
A Decade of Political Swings
From NDA to Mahagathbandhan and Back
Nitish Kumar’s political journey over the past decade has been anything but predictable. Once a strong ally of the BJP since the mid-1990s, he cut ties in 2013 due to differences with Narendra Modi, then the Chief Minister of Gujarat.
But just a few years later, he aligned with his longtime rival Lalu Prasad Yadav’s RJD in an attempt to stay politically relevant. That partnership didn’t last long, and in 2017, he rejoined the NDA, once again sharing power with the BJP.
His most recent defection came in 2022, when he left the NDA to form the INDIA alliance, a grand opposition bloc aimed at defeating the BJP. But that too didn’t last. Ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Nitish Kumar returned to the NDA, shocking many of his former INDIA bloc allies.
Who Made Me Chief Minister? Vajpayee Did
In his latest speech, Nitish paid tribute to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, saying that it was Vajpayee who had truly supported his rise to power.
“Who made me (the CM)? It was late Atal Bihari Vajpayee,” he reminded the crowd, underlining the BJP’s role in his political journey.
Nitish Kumar’s comment appears to be a heartfelt acknowledgment of his political roots — and a public declaration that he intends to stay loyal to the BJP-led NDA moving forward.
Why Nitish Left the INDIA Bloc
Nitish Kumar was one of the early architects of the INDIA bloc, a united opposition platform formed to take on the BJP in the 2024 elections. He played a key role in bringing together diverse parties like Congress, AAP, TMC, and others.
But internal tensions and strategic differences may have led to his eventual exit. Nitish accused the BJP in the past of trying to split his party, the JD(U) — but despite those claims, he still found common ground again with the BJP.
His return to the NDA just before the crucial elections suggests a strategic political calculation — aligning with a winning formula rather than risking isolation.
The Political Timing: Why Now
With Lok Sabha 2024 elections around the corner, Nitish Kumar’s renewed loyalty to the NDA comes at a crucial time.
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JD(U) needs national relevance to maintain power in Bihar.
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BJP benefits from Nitish’s grassroots support and administrative experience.
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INDIA bloc looks fractured without a senior leader like Nitish to keep regional parties united.
The timing of this move strengthens the NDA’s position in Bihar, where every seat could prove decisive in forming the next central government.
Nitish’s Political Strategy: Stability Over Experimentation
At 72 years old, Nitish Kumar appears ready to choose stability over experiments. His speech hinted at regret for past shifts:
“My party made me go here and there a couple of times earlier. But this is not going to happen again.”
That statement also seems to serve as a warning to JD(U) members who may be considering another shift in the future — that the party line is now firmly with the NDA.
Bihar’s Longest-Serving CM: Still Relevant
Nitish Kumar has already served as Bihar’s CM for over 18 years, making him the longest-serving in the state’s history. Despite his age and criticism over frequent political changes, he remains a central figure in state politics.
His brand of governance — focused on roads, electricity, and law and order — still appeals to a section of voters. But critics say his repeated U-turns show political opportunism, not principle.
Public Reaction: Mixed but Watching Closely
Social media reactions to Nitish Kumar’s latest statement have been divided:
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Supporters praise his honesty and experience.
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Opponents call it another opportunistic move.
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Neutral voters are just relieved there won’t be another alliance shuffle — at least for now.
Nitish Kumar’s Last Political Chapte
This could be Nitish Kumar’s final full term as Chief Minister — and his last major election cycle. With this declaration of loyalty to the NDA, he is possibly setting the stage for a smoother political exit, or perhaps grooming a successor within JD(U) while maintaining BJP’s support.
Whether voters will reward this renewed stability or penalize past flip-flops — only the 2024 Lok Sabha election results will tell.
