Patna: Wheels of election fortune are coming to an end very soon. The perceived
anti-incumbency factor is troubling Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for the first time
since he came into power in 2005 and is doing everything which he did not do in
the past. It may be recalled that he didn’t allow Narendra Modi, then Chief
Minister of Gujarat to campaign in 2010 elections. L.K. Advani also didn’t want
to antagonise BJP partner in the State and Modi was refrained from campaigning.
However, after 15 years of ruling the State and wavering relations with BJP,
Nitish is heavily banking on Modi to sail through 2020 elections. The change in
his stance can be witnessed in election rallies addressed by Prime Minister Modi.
Nitish addresses in his speeches that “Shradheya (venerated) Pradhan Mantri
Narendra Modiji will make Bihar a developed state if NDA comes to power”. It
was an attempt to change the wheels of fortune in their favor. The Prime Minister
also reciprocated by declaring Nitish Kumar as “Bhavi Mukhyamantri (next chief
minister)”. The JDU leadership is seeking support of BJP to bail the party out in
this election. Mr.Modi also want to keep its wheels in his favor. Tejashwi Yadav
and Chirag Paswan both have disturbed the political arithmetic of Bihar in this
election.
Wheels are indicating that a change may take place
The huge gatherings in Tejashwi election rallies and his acerbic disparagements
against Nitish with Chirag Paswan, who is contesting independently to dislodge
Nitish Kumar out of power forced Nitish to rely on Narendra Modi magic. Modi
and Nitish were at the same dais in 2009 in Ludhiana at an NDA rally from where
L.K. Advani was contesting as Prime Minister candidate. Since then their
relations have seen many turns and were at its lowest in 2010 when Nitish Kumar
cancelled a dinner for BJP delegates at the last minute in a protest against
publication of an advertisement in local media with the photograph taken at
Ludhiana. The advertisement was in connection with BJP national executive
meeting being attended by Narendra Modi. Nitish Kumar was not happy by the
gesture of Narendra Modi to raise his hand aloft to show solidarity of NDA
partners, which was clicked by the cameramen present there. A Bihar police team
also raided an office of Gujarat based agency who released the advertisement.
Corona lock down has changed the scenario all over India
Bihar government also returned Rs. 5 crores cheque given by Gujarat government
in aid of Kosi flood victims. BJP was always in silent mode as it need a regional
party to consolidate itself. The elevation of Narendra Modi as Prime Minister in
2013 at NDA Goa meet was the last nail in their relationship coffin. JDU broke its
ties with BJP and 17 years old alliance came to an end. The grand victory of JDU
in 2010 assembly elections in Bihar prompted Nitish Kumar to ensure BJP’s
defeat in 2014 Parliamentary elections but something else was in store for Nitish.
The sweeping victory of Narendra Modi all across India including Bihar sealed
his dream of becoming Prime Minister. Nitish thereafter joined hand with RJD in
2015 assembly polls. JDU won 71 seats and Nitish became Chief Minister once
again with the support of 80 RJD MLAs. However, his marriage with RJD was
soon over in 2017 and joined hands again with BJP.
Outcome of Chirag’s stand may effect NDA prospects
The outcome of these political moves by Nitish Kumar dented his credibility to
some extent and vitriolic campaign by Tejashwi-Chirag duo against him has given
opposition a strength and footing. With the caste ridden politics in Bihar and
seemingly tough challenges to JDU candidates in the first phase of polling spread
across 71 constituencies of 16 districts from opposition, Narendra Modi is
definitely a saviour for Nitish Kumar’s future.