The political chameleon of Bihar who mastered the art of shifting alliances
In short: Nitish Kumar has become the longest-serving Chief Minister of Bihar, but his path to power is defined by constant political pivots. Known by the nickname 'Paltu Ram' for his frequent changes in allegiance, he has navigated a complex web of coalitions to maintain his grip on the state.
Nitish Kumar's political career is a masterclass in strategic maneuvering. Born in 1951 in Bakhtiarpur, Bihar, he began his political journey as an MLA in 1985. His career has been marked by a series of significant shifts: he founded the Samata Party in 1994 alongside George Fernandes, merged it into the Janata Dal (United) in 2003, and has since cycled between alliances with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Mahagathbandhan coalition. An electrical engineer by training, he joined the Bihar State Electricity Board before entering the legislature. His political rise began when he won his first seat in the state assembly from Harnaut.
These shifts are not merely personal preferences but responses to shifting political landscapes. In June 2013, he broke with the BJP following the nomination of Narendra Modi as their prime ministerial candidate. Later, in 2017, he left the RJD over corruption allegations, only to return to the NDA. Most recently, he left the NDA in August 2022 to rejoin the Mahagathbandhan, before departing again in January 2024 to rejoin the NDA. His political movements have frequently reshaped the state's leadership structure. For instance, his departure from the NDA in 2014 led to Jitan Ram Manjhi succeeding him as chief minister.
Despite the criticism regarding his political volatility, Kumar's tenure has seen significant social shifts in Bihar. His administration has been credited with doubling the average income of a Bihari, halving female illiteracy, and implementing successful bicycle and meal programs that increased school enrollment for girls. While his political survival relies on navigating complex caste dynamics, his legacy is tied to these large-scale development initiatives and his ability to command diverse coalitions. Beyond social welfare, his governance has focused on infrastructure through extensive road paving and rural electrification. He has also been a prominent figure in the socialist movement, once associated with leaders like Ram Manohar Lohia.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Nitish Kumar
- Also: Wikidata — Nitish Kumar · CC0
- Also: Wikidata — Nitish Kumar · CC0
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