BJP Confirms Nitish Kumar as NDA's Chief Ministerial Face for Bihar Polls
The Bharatiya Janata Party has confirmed that incumbent Nitish Kumar will be the chief ministerial face for the National Democratic Alliance in the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections. The announcement comes as seat-sharing negotiations continue within the ruling coalition. Meanwhile, the opposition Mahagathbandhan is also finalising its strategy, with the Congress party clearing an initial list of 25 candidates for its traditional strongholds. The two-phase election is scheduled for November 6 and 11, with results on November 14.
Unpacked:
Nitish Kumar has served as Bihar’s chief minister for nearly two decades, making him the state’s longest-serving leader. He has led governments both with the BJP-led NDA and the opposition Mahagathbandhan, and is known for his role in development initiatives and shifting political alliances.
Nitish Kumar and the NDA face significant anti-incumbency due to his long tenure, voter fatigue, and demands for change. His repeated political realignments and concerns about his health have also raised questions about leadership continuity and effectiveness.
The Mahagathbandhan is a coalition of parties including the RJD and Congress. It previously allied with Nitish Kumar’s JD(U) in 2015 to win a landslide, but the alliance broke in 2017. The Mahagathbandhan has since contested elections against the NDA, with varying results.
Seat-sharing negotiations determine how many constituencies each coalition partner contests, affecting electoral strategies and the unity of alliances. Disagreements or unfavorable deals can lead to internal sabotage, as seen in 2020 when the NDA suffered due to infighting.