Nitish Kumar Opens Up on Alliance with Rashtriya Janata Dal — “Had to tie up because of circumstances”
Setting the Scene
In recent remarks, Bihar’s Chief Minister Nitish Kumar candidly reflected on his past political alliances—especially his tie-ups with the RJD. Speaking at a rally in Muzaffarpur, he stated:
“Because of circumstances, I had to tie up with those people, but it did not take me long to realise that they were good for nothing.” (www.ndtv.com)
He reaffirmed his commitment to the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), saying that he is “back for good.” (www.ndtv.com)
Why the Alliance Happened — His Explanation
Nitish Kumar’s explanation for tying up with the RJD is as follows:
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He described the alliance with the RJD as something driven by circumstances, rather than by ideological alignment. (www.ndtv.com)
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He recalled his earlier stint under RJD rule, criticising its record: “Did the ones in power do anything for women? They could not have cared less.” (www.ndtv.com)
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He admitted that making the alliance was a mistake, saying that “we made a mistake by going … twice” and vowed it won’t happen again. (ABP Live)
What He’s Actually Saying (and Not Saying)
Beyond the surface remarks, several deeper signals emerge:
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Acknowledgement of tactical alliance: The language “because of circumstances” suggests Nitish viewed the RJD-tie up as a strategic or situational decision, rather than a long-term ideological partnership.
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Dissatisfaction with performance: By describing the RJD-led periods as ones where things “did nothing”, he is drawing a sharp contrast between his governance and theirs.
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Repairing his image: Having shifted alliances several times in the past, this strong restatement of commitment to NDA appears aimed at stabilising his image ahead of upcoming elections.
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Warning to allies/competitors: His remarks serve as a message both to his own party and to opposition parties: he’s done with unstable alliances and plans to hold his ground.
Implications for Bihar Politics
Here are some ways this can impact the political landscape in Bihar:
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For the JD(U) and NDA: Nitish’s reaffirmation strengthens the NDA narrative in Bihar: unity, stability, and governance continuity. It sends a signal to voters that he is not going to switch alliances again easily.
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For the RJD and opposition: The sharp critique could weaken the RJD’s claims of being a credible partner to Nitish again; it also potentially alienates voters who supported the earlier tie-ups.
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For voters: This could trigger questions: Did the alliance with the RJD really benefit Bihar? Is Nitish’s current path more credible? Voters may look at his governance record more than alliance labels.
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For upcoming elections: With Bihar slated for assembly polls (or with an eye on national contests), the stability of alliances becomes a key factor. Shifts like this can influence both seat-sharing calculations and public perception.
Looking Ahead: Questions Worth Watching
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Will Nitish Kumar’s JD(U) truly stick with the NDA till the next election, without surprise shifts?
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How will the RJD respond to this critique — will they take it on board, retaliate, or shift strategy?
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Will voters judge the past tie-ups (with RJD) harshly, neutrally, or will other issues (development, jobs, governance) be more decisive?
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Will this reaffirmation of alliance stability translate into tangible policy momentum in Bihar — or will governance issues dominate the narrative?
Final Thoughts
Nitish Kumar’s remarks mark a clearer delineation of his political trajectory: past alliances with the RJD were framed as tactical necessities; his future lies firmly with the NDA. Whether voters buy this narrative, and whether it holds up under the pressure of Bihar’s complex caste-, community- and development-based politics, remains to be seen.
