In a significant political statement, RJD MLA Bhai Birendra, a close ally of party chief Lalu Prasad, remarked on Thursday that they would “welcome” Nitish Kumar if he chose to part ways with the BJP. “There is no permanent friend or foe in politics. If Nitish joins us after ending his alliance with the communal forces, we will welcome him,” Birendra said.
His comments come amid speculation over whether Nitish Kumar will remain the NDA’s face for the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections. Birendra hinted at possible political maneuvers, suggesting, “The state has seen political games in the past, and they will continue. Keep watching.”
In response, Nitish Kumar’s party, JD(U), dismissed Birendra’s remarks as “nonsense.” JD(U) leader Neeraj Kumar accused the RJD of creating confusion and pointed to the party’s frustration after a poor performance in recent Lok Sabha and Assembly by-elections. BJP’s Dilip Jaiswal also criticized the RJD, accusing it of desperation.
Political Significance of Nitish Kumar and Chandrababu Naidu for NDA
The importance of Nitish Kumar and Andhra Pradesh’s Chandrababu Naidu to the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is crucial. The NDA, led by the BJP, secured an absolute majority in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections with 293 out of 543 seats, including support from key allies like the JD(U) and Telugu Desam Party (TDP). However, if either of these allies withdraws their support, it could destabilize the government. Therefore, keeping both Nitish Kumar and Naidu under the NDA’s fold is seen as essential for maintaining the alliance’s stability.
