In a powerful show of support, a poster dedicated by former Bihar Minister Ranjit Sinha outside the Janata Dal (United) office in Patna has bestowed Chief Minister Nitish Kumar with the formidable title of a 'Tiger who still has the power (Tiger Zinda hai)'. The poster describes the veteran leader as the protector of all communities, including those on the margins of society, and reflects the strong desire of party workers to see him lead the state for a fourth term.
NDA Closes Ranks, Declares Nitish Kumar as Undisputed Leader
The political atmosphere in Bihar has been charged with speculation regarding the chief ministerial candidate for the upcoming 2025 assembly polls. The opposition Mahagathbandhan, led by Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav, has consistently criticized the delay in a formal announcement. Tejashwi Yadav has repeatedly cited past statements by Union Minister Amit Shah to claim that Nitish Kumar will not be the CM if the NDA returns to power. On October 15, he further alleged that the JD(U) is no longer controlled by Nitish Kumar but by leaders brought in by the BJP.
However, these claims have been met with a unified front from the NDA. Top leaders, including those from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), have moved decisively to clear the air. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while campaigning in the state, explicitly backed Nitish Kumar as the leader of the ruling alliance. Echoing this sentiment, Amit Shah assured that there was no vacancy for the chief minister's post, solidifying Kumar's pivotal role in the NDA's strategy.
‘No Confusion,’ Says BJP In-Charge Dharmendra Pradhan
Adding to the chorus of support, Union Minister and Bihar BJP in-charge Dharmendra Pradhan recently made a firm statement to quash all doubts. In an interview with ANI, Pradhan left no room for ambiguity, stating, "Don't have confusion. Our CM face is Nitish Kumar." He reiterated that Prime Minister Modi had been very clear on the matter, and with the sitting chief minister already in position, there was no need for a separate announcement.
The stage is now set for the vote counting on November 14. Reflecting on the previous 2020 assembly polls, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) secured 125 seats, while the opposition Mahagathbandhan (MGB) won 110. The seat distribution saw the JD(U) winning 43 seats, the BJP 74, the RJD 75, and the Congress 19. Buoyed by positive exit poll predictions, workers from the BJP and the wider NDA have already begun preparations for victory celebrations, anticipating a renewed mandate under Nitish Kumar's leadership.
