Nitish Kumar the only factor in Bihar that can’t be written off

You can’t write off Nitish Kumar unless he himself decides to. The falling health of Nitish Kumar had given rise to speculations of him taking an honorable exit or even the BJP trying to marginalize him. On the bargaining table however, he made it clear that he is still in a position to rule the roost and settled for a 50-50 formula and made the BJP tow his line in the state. The BJP still has the results of 2015 fresh in it’s memory and could not risk any political adventurism as it is often charged with in 2020 elections. Another important aspect of this election which has so far gone unnoticed is that the BJP had to dump its hardliner approach and stick to the rule book as laid down by Nitish Kumar. Nitish kumar despite being the longest partner of the BJP has maintained his secular credentials and the same seems to have paid him rich dividends.

The so, called Hanuman of Modi ji , Chirag Paswan was the first one to fall in line. Pictures of him bowing down to seek the blessings of Nitish Kumar as the latter visited his home during Chath Puja went viral. He was also heard saying that he will campaign along with Nitish Kumar and seek votes for the NDA candidates. Today the NDA is giving out semblance of being en-block despite conflicting interests and the credit of it goes not just to Amit Shah but to Nitish Kumar as well.

It was widely being speculated in the political arena that Nitish Kumar may not be physically fit to go for aggressive campaigning due to his falling health. However’ Nitish went for his tested formula of conducting small meetings and reiterating the good governance and reminding the people of the Jungle Raj. Women converged in large numbers at his rallies.

 Recently some JDU leaders put up posters of his Son Nishant Kumar at the party office as a gesture to welcome him as their successor. This happened days after Nishant was spotted appealing to the vast electorate to vote his father back to power. Speculations ran high on whether the stage was being set for his entry into politics. Nitish kumar as an honest Socialist leader however maintained a stoic silence. There has been no word from his side on the entry of his son in politics. Nitish Kumar has been very critical of dynastic politics and time and again has questioned Lalu Prasad Yadav on the issue .

Nitish despite being in power for the last 20 years has maintained a clean image even when he seems to have been surrounded by those who are embroiled in grave corruption charges. Nitish has never been protective about them. Most recently when the don turned politician Anant Singh , contesting on  a JDU ticket was implicated in the murder of Dulal Chand Yadav, he was arrested and put behind bars. This has happed with several people in the past giving Nitish Kumar an image which he duly deserves .

Nitish Kumar since the very beginning has been working meticulously to build his support base among the women voters. Starting from the “Cycle and Poshak” Yojana for the Girl students going up to total prohibition , reservation for women and even a support system in the form of monetary benefits directly to their account for self employment has cemented their support for Nitish Kumar.

The falling health of Nitish Kumar may be part of an urban elite discourse but in the rural discourse there is hardly any talk on his health. In the recent past a series of populist measures announced by Nitish kumar has led to further consolidation in his favor. The increased voter turnout especially of women voters is largely being seen going in favor of Nitish Kumar. This topples the notion of any anti-incumbency going against him. The fact that the Mallikarjun Kharge or even Tejashwi Yadav have been repeatedly saying that Nitish Kumar will be dumped after elections does not have any favorable echo. The BJP has miserably failed in producing any leader in the state to meet the stature of Nitish Kumar and is dependent on him for an edge in the present elections. Over the years Nitish kumar has remained a constant factor in the winnability formula of the state .

Unless Nitish Kumar himself decides, the BJP is not in a [position to replay the Maharashtra formula in Bihar . the reasons are simple enough . Nitish has his options open and the government at the center is dependent on the support of Nitish. Besides the BJP cant afford to go solo in Bihar given the complex caste equations and that makes Nitish Kumar indispensable. With Nitish Kumar towards their side the BJP seems confident enough to get a thumping majority. Besides there may be anti incumbency and even fatigue factor yet Nitish kumar remains untouched by the same . The way he stirred the state out of the so called jungle raj and put it on the path to development seems to have nullified the anti-incumbency. So whichever block manages to garner the maximum number of seats , nitish kumar’s relevance will remain.