Bihar politics is one of the deciding factors in national politics. Hence when the floor test was conducted, the eyes were on Nitish Kumar. The results of the floor test were considered as something that would maneuver the political landscape of India and Bihar alike. However, the volatile political climate still raises eyebrows about the stability of the government. The political drama that unfolded in Bihar ended positively when Nitish Kumar grabbed 129 votes in the 243-member assembly and reinforced his position at the helm of Bihar’s administration.
The Political Climate of Bihar
The victory of Nitish Kumar took the political observers by surprise. Switching alliances has been his style of politics, which forced the observers to tag him as untrustworthy. However, nothing was a deterrent for the political veteran. As the opposition walked out, three members of Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) changed alliances and voted for the Government in an unpredictable scenario. However, the majority voting pattern was more or less predictable. Out of 45 JD(U) members 44 voted in favor of the government/ All 78 members of BJP and 4 members of Hindustan Awam Morcha also voted in favor of the Government. One independent member supported the Government along with 3 RJD members who changed the alliance. The give and take in the assembly that followed was as thrilling as a movie sequence. Tejaswi Yadav, Kumar’s deputy before he changed alliances, took a jibe at him for his frequent switch of alliances. However, the Janata Dal (United) chief, who is an oratory himself, got back at the former chief and old ally pointing out the sad state of affairs in Bihar. While the masses are discussing the banter and the results of the floor test, political observers are looking forward to the improvement in administration afterward.
Political Life of Nitish Kumar
The political career of Nitish Kumar started in the 1970s, as a member of the socialist movement along the likes of Jayaprakash Narayan. He was a member of Janata Dal and later became the founding member of the Samata Party. During this period he served in ministerial positions at the state and national levels. He assumed office as the Chief Minister of Bihar in 2000, followed by 2005 till 2014. He came back to power in 2015 after his alliance between Rashtriya Janata Dal and Indian National Congress and Later Bharatiya Janata Party. His key decision upon assuming power was the ban on alcohol in Bihar in 2016. He aimed at social reform and the empowerment of women. He remained a significant political force in Bihar for several years despite his victory and failure in the elections. Despite the criticisms of his shift in political allegiance he remained the center of Bihar politics that has been the topic of deliberation in national politics.
Another U-Turn for Nitish Kumar
Nitish Kumar is known for his tactical alliances. In 2017, he broke the Mahagadhbandhan and joined hands with the BJP as he foresaw how the political wind was going to blow. The alliance proved to be beneficial to the political maestro. While a section applauded him for his pragmatic approach and political maneuvering, another section criticized him for prioritizing his gains over ideologies. They called him an opportunist who was hungry for political expediency. However, these criticisms could not dull his victory. His political acumen was proven through his ability to retain power.
With the victory of Nitish Kumar, now the concentration is on the developmental activities of Bihar. Bihar is in dire need of a leader who could douse poverty and improve the infrastructure. This is a chance for Nitish to enact reforms and thus regain his trust. If he could change the socio-economic conditions in Bihar it would be a historic achievement in his political career. While he is embarking on the new term, he shall prioritize education, healthcare, and infrastructure. Administrative inadequacy has been the most troublesome factor in Bihar. The lack of responsibility and lapse in the execution of duty by the bureaucrats have been regular occurrences.. Cases of corruption are rampant and executed with the ease of fearless adamancy. If Nitish could get a hold on the bureaucracy it would change the face of Bihar and push the state from the current stagnant position towards development.
Challenges Awaiting Him
Nitish Kumar’s path is fraught with challenges. Caste-based politics and politicians working with vested interests have been yet another deterrent. It is only with commitment toward the people that he would be able to wade through tough waters. He is a visionary leader and this political acumen should be showcased to fight back.
Bihar has a significant cultural heritage. However, with the alliance of the BJP, there is a chance of centralization and Bihar’s regional autonomy would be lost. Though an alliance with the BJP could benefit Bihar by raising it to the position of a favorable state of the Central Government, this dilution of regional identity will cost Bihar a fortune in the long run. The floor test in turn helped in raising the standards of the governance as the fear of public scrutiny could bring about more transparency.
The Years That Lay Ahead
Bihar is at a crossroads between possible developments and the current state of stagnation. Holding another term is a short term of power but how he makes use of this tenure decides the length of his political career and the possibility of grabbing the terms in the years to come by. To ensure this, they have to fulfill the promises made to the people of Bihar. The banter between the politicians at the assembly after the floor test is a testimony to the tumultuous political climate of Bihar in the past and present with the vision to look forward to the future.
With the right intervention and perfectly curated policies, Bihar could gain the position of one of the most powerful states in India. With the backup of the Central Government, people are looking forward to a facelift for Bihar.
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