How Nitish Kumar Became A Victim of his Own Principles

Truth v/s Hype
Jul 25, 2017 · 4 min read

Nitish Kumar, the man behind the change in Bihar is left in a dilemma and is finding it difficult to choose between power and principle.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has been cleverly oscillating from BJP to Congress and vice-versa but this time he’s stuck in his own game. The corruption charges against Lalu Prasad Yadav and his younger son Tejaswi Yadav has been speculated by many as a calculated step by Janata Dal (United) national president Mr Kumar to disengage with Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD).

In his attempt to do so, he is trying to cajole Congress to build pressure on Tejaswi Yadav to step down as Deputy CM. The younger Yadav has been found to be involved in a land scam and has been booked under various charges by CBI.

Moreover, his relation with Narendra Modi-led BJP Government lately has put everybody to articulate his next move. He has openly supported the government’s candidate for Presidential post going against the advice of his allies RJD and Congress. Again by backing up Gopalkrishna Gandhi for the Vice-president candidature, he showed his commitment to the Congress. These political manoeuvres of Nitish Kumar are not only baffling but highly questionable too.

The fall of JD-U leader has caught the attention of a Harvard University scholar Jonathan Phillips. In his study, he talks about the discontent of people in the governance of the ‘mahagathbandhan’ and the weakening trust of the masses in the political process which may result in Nitish Kumar’s failure to win over the elections in Bihar this time.

Trouble and Strife for Nitish:

Janata Dal (United) chief Nitish Kumar with his clean image is finding it difficult to continue his alliance with corruption-stricken RJD. The high-risk political strategy that once got Nitish to join hands with RJD and form ‘mahagathbandhan’ is now being detrimental to his political career. RJD’s resolute that Mr Yadav will not give in to the demands of Chief Minister, and continue as the Deputy CM of Bihar has got Mr Kumar to think of alternates.

Mr Kumar has always maintained his distinct stance on corruption and communalism. Though he keeps overplaying one of them at a time, depending on his current primary rival. Mr Kumar and his party JDU have remained in power in Bihar for nearly 12 years, earlier in alliance with BJP and then with the RJD.

The public of Bihar are too questioning the CM over his remarks on RJD as Lalu was already convicted in fodder scam when JD(U) partnered with RJD in 2015. It is clearly being seen as a political move to save his face from corruption but there are limited options for Mr Kumar this time.

Double-edged Sword for Bihar CM:

The ‘once bitten, twice shy’ BJP does not seem to be too keen to partner with JDU and his strong stand against corruption charges on Yadavs has made him RJD’s foe too. So Mr Kumar may gain popularity as the righteous leader but lose his position as the CM. BJP, on the other hand, might get benefitted in this three-way contest and the party can even look forward to a mid-term Assembly election than serve as a crutch for the JD(U).

In the current scenario, Mr Kumar who could have been the hero and played the role of Devi Lal, Haryana’s Chief Minister in the mid-’80s. Nitish’s initiative to bring together all opposition parties under same roof and stand against the ruling government had brought hopes among many.

His sudden closeness to Modi and support to Ram Nath Kovind is beyond his usual self. With the rising dominance of BJP, his association can prove to be a historic blunder as he would just remain a senior Chief Minister. However, with RJD he will don as a hero and in the process strengthen the opposition and safeguard the weakening of Indian democracy.

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