Nitish Kumar RJD Controversy: In August 2022, Nitish Kumar formed the government in a grand alliance with RJD, Congress and Left parties. After 17 months, he resigned on Sunday (January 28) and became a part of NDA.
In a surprising turn of events, Nitish Kumar has once again severed ties with the Grand Alliance, comprising RJD, Congress, and Left parties, opting to join the NDA. His 17-month tenure within the Grand Alliance witnessed significant shifts in Bihar’s political landscape, driven by a series of incidents that ultimately fueled his decision to part ways and align with the BJP.
In the tumultuous 17 months within the Grand Alliance, Nitish Kumar faced a cascade of controversies and strained relationships that ultimately paved the way for his departure. The unraveling began with Law Minister Kartik Singh’s controversial oath-taking, revealing an absconding past, and culminated in his resignation amid pressure from the BJP. The subsequent acknowledgment of being a “leader of thieves” by Agriculture Minister Sudhakar Singh only intensified tensions within the alliance, leading to his resignation on October 2.
Meanwhile, RJD Minister Chandrashekhar’s contentious statements on Ramcharitmanas and clashes with Nitish’s favored IAS officer added fuel to the fire. RJD MLA Fateh Bahadur Kushwaha’s provocative remarks against Gods and Goddesses further strained Nitish’s comfort within the alliance. The ambitious push for Tejashwi Yadav as Chief Minister by Jagdanand Singh heightened Nitish’s displeasure, marking a turning point in their relationship.
Nitish’s discontent extended beyond RJD as he expressed frustration with Congress over alleged assaults on Biharis in Tamil Nadu and anti-Sanatan remarks, given Congress’s alliance with DMK in the state. The India Alliance, an initiative spearheaded by Nitish, faced internal strife when Lalu Yadav’s description of Rahul Gandhi as the “groom” during a meeting caused discomfort.
Lack of convener status in the Bengaluru meeting and delays in seat distribution within the India Alliance deepened Nitish’s sense of marginalization. The proposal of Mallikarjun Kharge as a PM candidate by Mamata Banerjee signaled diminishing prospects for Nitish in the alliance, contributing to his disillusionment.
Matters worsened when talks of a JDU-RJD merger surfaced, suggesting an attempt to weaken Nitish Kumar. Lalu’s push for Tejashwi as CM, interference in governance, and controversies like Manoj Jha’s Thakur poem all underscored the growing rift. The standoff over seat distribution within the Grand Alliance and Lalan Singh’s perceived proximity to Lalu further strained Nitish’s position.
As Tejashwi claimed credit for achievements, a credit war ensued, with government advertisements triggering concerns for Nitish about potential threats in the future. Faced with a series of challenges and feeling sidelined, Nitish Kumar made the decisive move to join the NDA, marking the end of a tumultuous chapter in Bihar’s political landscape.
Let’s delve into the 17 pivotal moments that marked this tumultuous period and played a crucial role in shaping Nitish Kumar’s dramatic political realignment –
1- Controversial Oath-Taking: Law Minister Kartik Singh’s Absconding Past Sparks Outrage and Resignation, Fueling Early Tensions in Grand Alliance.
2- Thieves’ Leader Saga: Agriculture Minister Sudhakar Singh’s Public Confession Strains RJD-JDU Relations, Ends in Resignation on October 2.
3- Ramcharitmanas vs. Governance: RJD Minister Chandrashekhar’s Controversial Statements and Feuds with Nitish’s Favorite Officer Escalate Grand Alliance Tensions.
4- Faith Under Fire: RJD MLA Fateh Bahadur Kushwaha’s Controversial Remarks on Gods and Goddesses Unsettles Nitish Kumar.
5- CM Ambitions: Jagdanand Singh’s Push for Tejashwi as CM Provokes Nitish’s Displeasure Within Grand Alliance.
6- Congress Clash: Nitish’s Anger Over Tamil Nadu Assault and Anti-Sanatan Remarks Strains Ties with Congress, an Ally of DMK.
7- India Alliance Fiasco: Lalu’s Reference to Rahul Gandhi as the “Groom” Creates Discomfort for Nitish Kumar.
8- Convener Snub: Nitish Kumar Feels Sidelined in India Alliance as Convener Role Eludes Him in Bengaluru Meeting.
9- Seat Sharing Stalemate: Nitish’s Frustration Grows as Congress and RJD Drag Feet on Seat Distribution Within India Alliance.
10- PM Candidate Twist: Mamata Banerjee Proposes Mallikarjun Kharge as PM Candidate, Signaling a Diminished Role for Nitish in India Alliance.
11- Merger Talks Haunt: Lalu’s Discussions on JDU-RJD Merger Further Erode Nitish’s Trust Within the Grand Alliance.
12- Tejashwi’s CM Aspirations: Lalu’s Pressure for Tejashwi as CM Creates Irreconcilable Differences with Nitish Kumar.
13- Governance Intrusions: Lalu Yadav’s Unbridled Interference in Administration Deepens Nitish’s Discontent.
14- Poetry Controversy: Nitish Upset Over RJD MP Manoj Jha’s Thakur Poem, Highlighting Growing Discord in Grand Alliance.
15- Seat Share Standoff: JDU’s Refusal to Sacrifice 16 Seats Sparks Heated Debate with Congress and RJD in Grand Alliance.
16- Lalan Singh’s Allure: Nitish Severs Ties with Lalan Singh Amidst Growing Suspicions of Lalu’s Attempt to Undermine Him.
17- Credit Wars and Threats: Tejashwi’s Claim to Achievements Sparks Advertisement Battle, Adding to Nitish’s Concerns and Prompting NDA Shift.
