Nitish Kumar entered the Bihar political scene during the JP movement in the 1970s, and since then, he has made a significant impact on Indian politics. He recently returned to the position of Chief Minister of Bihar, a record nine times. Significant coalitions, unexpected actions, and a special political acuity have all characterized Nitish's political career.
Nitish's political career has been characterized by his association with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He saw that a collaboration with the BJP would benefit his party, the Samata Party, and so he created one in 1996. This partnership not only propelled Nitish to become a member of parliament, but it also laid the groundwork for his initial appointment as Bihar's chief minister in 2000, albeit only for a scant seven days. During this fruitful collaboration with the BJP, which lasted from 2005 to 2013, Nitish led major developments and reforms in Bihar's governance.
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But Nitish's political career hasn't quite gone as planned. Following the Gaisal train tragedy in 1999, which resulted in the deaths of 285 people, he resigned from his role as Railway Minister. By accepting moral accountability for the catastrophe, Nitish showed his honesty and dedication to serving the public. The improvements he implemented in the Indian Railways during his stint as Railway Minister are another important aspect of his tenure.
In the days preceding the 2014 general elections, Nitish made yet another unexpected step. He had a long-standing coalition with the BJP, but he chose to break with it because of his misgivings about Narendra Modi, the prime ministerial candidate for the Bharatiya Janata Party. Modi's purported lack of a "secular image" was reported by Nitish as the cause of his exit from the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). Many were taken aback by this choice, considering Nitish's close collaboration and prior association with the BJP.
Amidst the 2014 general elections, Nitish took another unanticipated move. He was in a long-standing coalition with the BJP, but he decided to sever ties with them due to his reservations about Bharatiya Janata Party prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi. Nitish said that Modi's departure from the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) was due to his alleged lack of a "secular image." This decision surprised a lot of people because of Nitish's close ties to and past affiliation with the BJP.
In Bihar politics, Nitish Kumar remained a vital player despite the setbacks. He was a favored option for many because of his impeccable reputation and clean image in politics. Nitish's alliance with the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) from 2015 to 2017 and again in 2022 resulted from the BJP and RJD seeing the benefits of standing with him. But the RJD foresaw the JD(U)'s dissolution as a party following its breakup with the alliance, underscoring the difficulties Nitish and his party will face.
The fact that Nitish's son, Nishant Kumar, has avoided politics is an impressive facet of his political career. Even though Nishant has more wealth than his father, he has decided against going into politics. Compared to many other Indian dynasty politicians, this is a sharp contrast.
It is noteworthy, nonetheless, that despite holding the position for a record nine times, Nitish Kumar's overall tenure as Bihar's chief minister is less than that of leaders like Pawan Chamling and Naveen Patnaik, who have held the position for shorter periods of time. Nitish's political savvy and the distinct dynamics of the state are demonstrated by his ability to maneuver through shifting alliances and stay relevant in Bihar politics.
In summary, notable coalitions, unexpected actions, and a distinct political acuity have characterized Nitish Kumar's political career in Bihar. In Bihar politics, his most recent reappointment as Chief Minister for a record-breaking ninth time demonstrates his indispensable nature. But when the political environment changes, Nitish and his party will face difficulties. How Nitish Kumar handles the complexity of Bihar politics in the future is a matter for time to tell.
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