Patna: As Bihar braces for its high-stakes Assembly elections, Janata Dal (United) has thrown a fresh curveball into the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) dynamics, demanding that Chief Minister Nitish Kumar be formally declared the coalition’s CM face.
Sources reveal JDU’s stance that merely stating the alliance will fight under Nitish’s leadership isn’t enough — a clear, official endorsement is non-negotiable.
The demand comes amid simmering tensions over seat-sharing, with the BJP and JDU locked at an unprecedented 101-101 seat split. Whispers of Nitish’s displeasure grew louder, fuelled by the allocation of 29 seats to Chirag Paswan’s LJP (Ram Vilas), including some traditionally held by JDU.
Insiders claim Nitish, seeking to assert his “elder brother” role, is irked by the “twin brother” formula equating BJP and JDU’s influence.
While the BJP unveiled its first candidate list, JDU bypassed its customary press conference, quietly distributing symbols to over a dozen candidates from the CM’s residence. Several have already filed nominations, signaling a strategic sidestep as Nitish held multiple closed-door meetings.
Sources hint at his reservations over certain seat allocations, adding to the coalition’s unease.
The timing is critical, with first-phase nominations due by October 17 and polling set for November 6. JDU’s bold condition has sparked a political firestorm, with allies scrambling to project unity. Will Nitish’s gambit solidify his dominance or fracture the NDA’s delicate balance? As the Mahagathbandhan watches gleefully, Bihar’s electoral battlefield grows more treacherous by the day.