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Bihar Assembly Election 2025: With the Bihar Assembly elections results just around the corner, all eyes are on JD(U) supremo and the state’s longest-serving chief minister, Nitish Kumar. Kumar is banking on his track record, citing recent infrastructure and urban development projects, along with welfare schemes, to appeal to voters.

However, the RJD-led opposition alliance, Mahagathbandhan, has pointed out rising unemployment and migration, aiming to tap into public dissatisfaction. The results will decide whether Kumar secures a record fifth term or if a change in government will be witnessed.

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Nitish Kumar Background: Early Life And Educational Qualifications

- Born on March 1, 1951, in Bakhtiarpur, Bihar, Nitish Kumar is the son of Kaviraj Ram Lakhan Singh and Parmeshwari Devi.

- Kumar married Manju Kumari Sinha, a teacher, and the couple had one son, Nishant. Manju Kumari passed away in 2007.

- The JD(U) supremo earned a degree in Electrical Engineering from Bihar College of Engineering (now NIT Patna) in 1972, NDTV reported.

A Timeline Of Nitish Kumar’s Political Career

- 1970s: Entered politics during the JP Movement led by Jayaprakash Narayan.

- 1977: Contested the first Assembly election with the Janata Party but lost.

- 1985: Won his first Assembly election.

- 1989: Elected to the ninth Lok Sabha and served as the Union Agriculture Minister. He was re-elected in 1991.

- 1994: Kumar resigned from Janata Dal after differences with RJD supremo Lalu Yadav and co-founded the Samata Party with George Fernandes.

- 1998-2004: Held key portfolios under the NDA government at the Centre, including Railways (1998-1999, 2001-2004), Surface Transport (1998-1999), and Agriculture (1999-2000).

- 1999: Resigned as Railway Minister following the Gaisal train disaster.

- 2000: Became Bihar Chief Minister for the first time, but resigned within a week due to a lack of majority.

- 2003: Samata Party merged with Janata Dal (United).

- 2005: JD(U)-BJP coalition defeated RJD in 2005, and Kumar became Chief Minister for his first full term.

- 2010: Re-elected with a landslide win and theJD(U)-BJP coalition reduced RJD to 22 seats.

- 2013: Ended alliance with BJP over Narendra Modi’s prime ministerial nomination.

- 2015: Formed the Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance) with RJD and Congress and clinched victory in the 2015 state elections, news agency PTI reported.

- 2017: Broke ties with RJD over corruption charges against Tejashwi Yadav; rejoined NDA and returned as Chief Minister.

- 2020: Led the NDA to another victory, retaining the Chief Minister’s post.

- 2022: Kumar resigned, left NDA and rejoined Mahagathbandhan, forming a new coalition government.

- 2024: Resigned from Mahagathbandhan, rejoined NDA, and was sworn in as Chief Minister for the ninth time.

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Kumar’s frequent shifts in political alliances remain under intense scrutiny, yet many credit him with possessing one of the sharpest survival instincts in the ever-changing landscape of Bihar politics.

(With PTI Inputs)

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