Nitish Kumar’s Political Revival: The 'Tiger' Roars Again in Bihar's Political Landscape

Once again proving his resilience and political skill, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has reasserted his dominance in Bihar's political arena. Despite being considered a spent force after the 2020 assembly polls, Nitish has demonstrated his ability to adapt and thrive, especially following his party's strong performance in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Aided by his sharp political insight, Nitish has carefully rebuilt his influence, solidifying his position as a crucial player in Bihar and beyond.

Nitish Kumar’s comeback was far from sudden. His ability to recalibrate his political strategy became evident with the reconstitution of the Janata Dal (United)’s state committee last week. The restructured committee mirrors Bihar’s intricate social fabric, focusing on the OBC 'Luv-Kush' (Kurmi-Koeri) communities and the Extremely Backward Classes (EBCs). These groups form a key part of Nitish’s support base, with 36 positions in the new committee allocated to leaders from the Luv-Kush groups.

Beyond his core supporters, Nitish has expanded his appeal to other influential sections of Bihar’s society, incorporating leaders from SCs, Yadavs, Vaishyas, upper-caste communities, and Muslims into the 115-member committee. This broad outreach underscores Nitish’s intent to leave no stone unturned as he prepares for the 2025 Bihar assembly elections.

A senior JD(U) leader noted, “Our primary goal is to consolidate our core Luv-Kush base,” highlighting the party’s strategic necessity in response to rivals such as the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), which has been vying for EBC voters, and allies like Upendra Kushwaha, who has tried to position himself as the leader of the Kushwaha community.

Nitish’s political reinvention reached new heights in January 2024 when he made a decisive switch from the INDIA bloc to rejoin the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). This bold move, followed by the JD(U)’s successful run in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, transformed Nitish into a kingmaker. With his party emerging as the second-largest NDA ally behind Chandrababu Naidu’s TDP, Nitish’s support has become vital for the BJP’s stability and governance at the national level.

Nitish’s resurgence has even led BJP state leaders to recognize his dominant role, with signs pointing to him leading the NDA’s campaign in the 2025 Bihar assembly polls. This is a remarkable turnaround for a leader whose party secured only 43 seats in the 2020 assembly election, raising doubts about his future. But with his political manoeuvring, Nitish Kumar has shown that he remains a force to be reckoned with in Bihar politics.

In Bihar’s ever-changing political landscape, Nitish Kumar’s story of resilience, reinvention, and razor-sharp strategy demonstrates that he remains one of the state's most influential leaders. As Bihar prepares for the next assembly elections, the 'Tiger' continues to roar, reminding everyone that Nitish Kumar is still at the heart of the state’s political power.