- By Raju Kumar
- Tue, 07 Oct 2025 01:56 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Nitish And Bihar Elections: Janata Dal (United) supremo and Bihar Chief Minister, Nitish Kumar, has been the axis of Bihar politics since 2004, the year he uprooted the 15-year-rule led by husband-wife duo, Lalu Prasad Yadav-Rabri Devi, also termed as 'Jungal Raj' by the Rashtriya Janata Dal's opponents. His rule over two decades as the chief minister of Bihar earned him two sobriquets, in both tastes - sweet and sour. Given his remarkable works to bring the state on the track, empowering women and tightening law and order, he was called as 'Sushasan Babu', while his so many U-turns made him 'Paltu Ram' (one who keeps changing sides), a term coined by Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Lalu Yadav and his son Tejashwi Yadav.
Now, in 2025, has the case remained the same in Bihar? The answer lies between 'yes' and 'no'. Nitish's biggest challenger, so far, apparently, has emerged is Nitish himself. Considering the negative news around his mental health and 20-year-long anti-incumbency, it would not be imprudent to expect the same kind of Nitish Cherisha, which once capable of taking on the 'Modi wave'.
Now, the scenario has changed, and Nitish Kumar's popularity is on the wane. The dilemma with the BJP-led NDA is that there is no replacement for Nitish in Bihar; he apparently looks weak, yet remains the tallest politician in the state. So, the question is, is Nitish an asset or a liability for the NDA? The question carries substance in the context of Naveen Patnaik's episode. The Odisha stalwart faced similar health issue allegations just ahead of the election, and as a result, his 24-year-long regime came to an end.
Let's Examine What May Go Against Or In Favour Of Nitish:
Against Nitish:
- On many occasions, Nitish publicly embarrassed his government with strange behaviour. In the most recent incident on October 4, during a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, 74-year-old Nitish was seen uncannily displaying and shaking his folded hands for almost five minutes to greet the PM.
- Tejashwi several times asserted that Nitish is not in good mental health, saying he is being controlled by someone else. He argued that his enthusiasm and work capacity have been affected after serving as the chief minister for such a long period.
- The Opposition alleges that the liquor prohibition policy in Bihar has become an oppression against the poor and is being misused by the liquor mafia.
- The Opposition also attacks Nitish for shifting his allegiance as he shifts political stances—sometimes leaving the NDA, sometimes joining the grand alliance, etc.
- Nitish has been targeted on unemployment, deteriorating law and order and poor quality of education in the state. The JD-U leader also charged for not improved the per capita income of the people in the state as Bihar has the lowest per capita income among states.
What Goes In Favour Of Nitish:
- The NDA and JD(U) claim to have put Bihar on the path of development, especially in the areas of roads, electricity, bridges, health, and education. On October 6, Patna found itself on the map of metro train services.
- They promote the idea that having a “double-engine government” (Centre + State) has accelerated the pace of development.
- Nitish's hold on the women's vote bank is unchallenged as he took several steps to strengthen the half population of the state, including banning liquor and providing reservations to women in government jobs.
- The Nitish government claims to have promoted good governance, improved law and order, and increased transparency in administration, which earned him an honour - 'Sushasan Babu'.
- Under Nitish rule, Bihar grew faster than under previous governments, even though large industries have not arrived, the state saw a remarkable rise in its GDP.