BJP Master at Ensuring Ally's Expiry Date Approaches Faster: Manoj Jha's Sharp Critique
In a striking political commentary, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) MP Manoj Jha has accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of being adept at ensuring the political expiration of its regional allies occurs sooner rather than later. This criticism comes amidst the surprising development in Bihar where Nitish Kumar is set to become a Rajya Sabha member, with the BJP poised to install the first Chief Minister from its ranks in the state.
Nitish Kumar's Rajya Sabha Move: A Poorly Written Script
When questioned about Nitish Kumar's reasoning for shifting to the Rajya Sabha, Jha expressed skepticism. "When I read the X post of Nitish-ji, it was very clear that it was not his language, not even his ideas, not even his temperament," he stated. "He doesn't write like that if you check his past posts."
Jha found it incredulous that a Chief Minister of 21 years would claim to crave a Rajya Sabha berth. "Not even a small child would believe that because he could have the Rajya Sabha berth if he craved for it," he argued, noting that the JD(U) always had sufficient numbers to send him to the upper house, even in 2020 when their strength was reduced. He dismissed the explanation as "a very poorly written script."
BJP's Political Strategy: Using the Backdoor
Jha elaborated on the BJP's approach, suggesting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah were desperate to have their own representative in power in Patna. "Using the front gate was not possible. So they have chosen the backdoor," he remarked, emphasizing that this move contradicts the electoral mandate. "What they are doing is actually destroying the very spirit of the mandate."
He highlighted that during the Assembly campaign, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav had warned that Nitish Kumar was being used as a mask, a prediction that now appears validated.
Impact on JD(U) and Bihar's Political Landscape
The core support base of the JD(U) is reportedly disturbed, depressed, and downcast, according to Jha. "They never thought that this would be done to their leader and to their party," he said, indicating a deep sense of betrayal among loyalists.
Jha warned that this development serves as a cautionary tale for all political parties engaging with the BJP. "Remember that the BJP is master at ensuring that the expiry date of your political outfit is sooner than later," he asserted, drawing parallels with the fates of allies like the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party in Goa and Shiv Sena in Punjab.
Social Justice Plank and Bihar's Political Identity
Bihar has historically been a fertile ground for socialist and progressive politics, with figures like Karpoori Thakur, Lalu Prasad Yadav, and Nitish Kumar championing social justice. Jha noted that despite Nitish Kumar's vacillations in engaging with the RSS and BJP, the JD(U) maintained a distinct social justice plank.
"Disappearance of that plank shall not go down well with the people of Bihar, who had voted even this alliance, the NDA, largely on the face of Nitish Kumar," he cautioned. He suggested that the BJP, regardless of its OBC leadership, remains rooted in the ideological framework of 'Bunch of Thoughts' by late RSS chief M.S. Golwalkar.
Future of JD(U) and RJD's Response
While Jha refrained from writing an obituary for the JD(U), he acknowledged the party's precarious position. "If it doesn't reinvent itself, after a few days or weeks or months, maybe you will find the JD(U) in the footnotes," he predicted, noting that the party was woven around Nitish Kumar's persona, which now appears weakened.
Regarding the RJD's strategy following its 2025 electoral setback, Jha mentioned that Tejashwi Yadav has expressed full sympathy for Nitish Kumar. "Bihar is not used to this kind of sabotage politics," he stated, adding that the RJD will highlight how a homegrown party like JD(U) has been decimated by external designs.
Continuity of Socialist Legacy in Bihar
When asked if the era of socialist stalwarts like Lalu Prasad, Nitish Kumar, and the late Ramvilas Paswan is ending, Jha responded cautiously. "I am generally very cautious with these phrases because you know there is no end of an era. Eras are in continuity," he reflected.
He expressed confidence that the core voter base of JD(U) will recognize the value of the original social justice plank and explore alternative options. "I'm very sure that the core voter support base of the JD(U) will realise that if their original social justice plank has any value, they have to look at the other available alternatives," he concluded, underscoring the enduring relevance of progressive politics in Bihar.
