Will Nitish Be the Big Brother and BJP the Junior Partner in Bihar?
By Alok M Indoriya
Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently concluded his visit to Bihar, and the way Chief Minister Nitish Kumar was given prominence during the tour has sparked discussions in political circles. Modi referred to Nitish as the “beloved” leader, and the political maneuvers during the visit suggest that the BJP is willing to project Nitish Kumar as the key figure in the alliance. This raises the question: Was Modi’s visit aimed at preparing for the Bihar Assembly elections, or was it a strategic move to reassure allies of unity within the NDA?
Bihar is set to hold its crucial assembly elections by the end of 2025, making it a political battleground for both the BJP-led NDA and the opposition Congress-led alliance. In the last assembly elections, the BJP contested 110 seats and won 74, while Nitish Kumar’s JD(U) contested 115 seats and secured 43 victories. Based on these numbers, the BJP should naturally play the role of the senior partner. However, in Bihar, the opposite has happened—despite winning more seats, the BJP chose to form an alliance with JD(U), allowing Nitish Kumar to lead the NDA government as Chief Minister.
With elections approaching, the NDA has begun laying its groundwork. Given Modi’s dominance in national politics and the BJP’s success in forming governments in states like Haryana, Maharashtra, and Delhi, the party is keen to replicate its success in Bihar. Modi’s recent Bihar visit and its carefully crafted script indicate that winning Bihar is a top priority for the NDA. His decision to launch the PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme transfers from Bihar shows a targeted approach to winning over key voter segments, including the influential Yadav and Kurmi farming communities.
The BJP is also focusing on sectors crucial to Bihar’s economy and voters. The Gokul Scheme, aimed at supporting dairy farmers, could help BJP gain favor among Yadav voters—traditionally aligned with Lalu Prasad Yadav’s RJD. Similarly, the government’s move to establish a Makhana Board aligns with the interests of farmers involved in makhana (fox nut) production, a key industry in Bihar. Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan’s direct involvement in makhana farming during his visit highlights the BJP’s commitment to this voter base.
Will BJP Remain the Junior Partner?
A major question in Bihar’s political circles is whether the BJP will continue playing the junior partner despite being the larger party. Modi’s decision to highlight only Nitish Kumar during his roadshow and call him the “darling CM” created a political stir. The BJP’s willingness to accept a subordinate role in Bihar has several reasons:
Lack of a Strong BJP Leader in Bihar – The party has failed to produce a universally accepted leader capable of leading the state elections.
Fear of RJD’s Strength – The RJD emerged as the largest party in the 2020 elections, winning 75 seats—one more than BJP’s 74. The BJP does not want to risk pushing Nitish Kumar away, as this could allow RJD to form a government.
Nitish Kumar’s Influence Over Backward Castes – Nitish enjoys strong support among extremely backward castes (EBCs), a crucial electoral bloc that determines power in Bihar. The BJP prefers to ride on his popularity rather than risk alienating this group.
Muslim Voter Base – While the BJP does not have significant Muslim support, Nitish Kumar enjoys some goodwill among Muslim voters, which could indirectly benefit the NDA.
Given these factors, political analysts believe that the BJP will contest the upcoming Bihar elections under Nitish Kumar’s leadership, playing the role of the junior partner. The party sees Modi’s popularity as an advantage, but recognizes that Nitish’s support is indispensable for victory. This dynamic suggests that JD(U) will be the “big brother” and BJP the “junior partner” in the upcoming elections.
(The author is a senior journalist and political analyst.)
