It is rare for a Prime Minister to lavish praise on a Chief Minister who was once a staunch opponent and potential rival. However, much has changed over the past few years.
Having secured victories in Haryana, Maharashtra, and Delhi in recent months, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which is perpetually in election mode, has now turned its attention to Bihar—and with good reason.
Bihar remains one of the few states in the Hindi heartland where the BJP has yet to have its own Chief Minister since Independence. This is despite the party’s dominance in several states across central India, as well as in Arunachal Pradesh, Gujarat, Delhi, and Maharashtra.
The BJP is acutely aware that in a caste-driven state like Bihar, emotive religious issues such as Ayodhya and Kumbh may have only a limited impact. To secure electoral victory, the party recognizes the necessity of aligning with Nitish Kumar, a leader capable of influencing election outcomes in either direction.
THE SWING FACTOR
This was evident in the 2015 Assembly elections when Nitish Kumar, having allied with the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and the Congress, inflicted a decisive defeat on the BJP. Conversely, in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Nitish’s alliance with the BJP helped the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) secure 39 out of 40 parliamentary seats in Bihar. His ability to transfer votes between alliances makes him a highly sought-after political partner.
Amid widespread speculation in political circles and the media that Nitish may switch alliances ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections in October, the BJP is making every effort to maintain cordial relations with him.
It is in this context that Prime Minister Modi, while addressing a gathering in Bhagalpur, Bihar, where he announced Rs 22,000 crore in financial aid for farmers, praised Nitish for restoring law and order in the state. “Do not return to power those who established Jungle Raj in Bihar and even misappropriated fodder meant for animals,” Modi asserted. He further commended Nitish for propelling Bihar towards development.
MONEY MATTERS
Nitish Kumar responded by highlighting Bihar’s economic progress under his leadership. He noted that Bihar’s annual budget plan was Rs 28,000 crore when he first assumed office. “Today, it exceeds Rs 3 lakh crore, a remarkable leap, made possible by Prime Minister Modi’s support,” he remarked, emphasizing how the “double-engine government” has helped Bihar shed its reputation as a “Bimaru Rajya” (a sick state).
BJP President JP Nadda reinforced this sentiment on Tuesday, lauding Nitish for leading Bihar out of the “lantern age”. He credited Nitish with establishing law and order and steering Bihar onto a path of rapid development. Speaking at an event on February 25, where President Droupadi Murmu was also present as the chief guest at the centenary celebrations of the Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH), Nadda emphasized Bihar’s remarkable progress under Nitish’s leadership.
The message to Bihar’s electorate was unambiguous: Prime Minister Modi, President Murmu, and BJP President Nadda were united in their endorsement of Nitish Kumar.
“The BJP is unwilling to take the risk of allowing Nitish to switch allegiances or abandon the NDA on the eve of the Assembly elections,” remarked political analyst Ajay Kumar. “The BJP’s core vote share of 20% remains intact, with or without Nitish. However, if Nitish’s Janata Dal (United) [JD(U)] contributes its 14% vote share, combined with Chirag Paswan’s 6% and smaller players like Jitan Ram Manjhi and Upendra Kushwaha, each commanding around 1%, the NDA’s vote share could exceed 40%—a decisive margin for victory in any election,” he elaborated, underscoring the significance of electoral arithmetic in Bihar over emotive issues such as Ayodhya and Kumbh.
PM’S INITIATIVES
Modi has strategically reinforced this electoral calculus through direct benefit transfers (DBT) to farmers, infrastructure projects, proposals for new airports, and the establishment of a central university in Bhagalpur. Additionally, he highlighted initiatives to support Bhagalpur’s silk industry, the creation of a Makhana Board in Bihar, and food processing units aimed at generating employment.
The Opposition, however, remains unimpressed, dismissing Modi’s promises as empty rhetoric.
“What is the point of making new promises before every election when past commitments remain unfulfilled?” questioned Leader of the Opposition and former Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav.
To illustrate his skepticism, Tejashwi recalled Modi’s 2017 visit to Bihar, during which he promised to reopen defunct sugar mills in Motihari. “The Prime Minister assured that the sugar mills in Motihari would be revived and that he would have tea made from locally produced sugar. Has that promise materialized? Similarly, have the jute mills in Katihar been reopened?” he asked.
The Congress has also criticized the NDA government for taking credit for projects initiated during the tenure of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. “The NDA frequently claims credit for establishing an IIT, an IIM, and two central universities in Bihar. However, these institutions were sanctioned during the UPA regime led by Manmohan Singh. If Modi wishes to highlight his government’s achievements, he should provide data on the number of jobs created under the NDA, or the number of industries and educational institutions established during its tenure,” asserted former Bihar Congress President Kaukab Quadri.
CONCLUSION
As Bihar heads toward the crucial Assembly elections, the BJP’s strategy is clear: retain Nitish Kumar within the NDA fold while leveraging developmental initiatives and financial aid to consolidate voter support. However, whether these efforts will be enough to secure electoral victory remains to be seen, especially in the face of criticism from the Opposition regarding unfulfilled promises and economic challenges.
