Lok Sabha Election 2024: Bihar runs into rough patches as Nitish widens rift with RJD over seat deal

The absence of three JD(U) MLAs, including former minister Bima Bharti, from crucial meetings raised concerns within the party. This absence occurred despite earlier instances of six MLAs skipping meetings, indicating potential internal issues or disagreements. (Image: PTI)

All is not well between Nitish Kumar’s Janata Dal (United) and its Bihar ally Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) as insiders predict a rift widening dangerously towards dissolution of the Assembly.

The rift surfaced at a crucial time for the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA), where both the parties are constituents, as discussions over seat-sharing began for the upcoming parliamentary polls.

Sources said that fissures emerged after the RJD claimed more seats for the Lok Sabha polls, with party members exerting influence over every decision in the government.

The RJD, led by Lalu Prasad, has also hired an independent agency to conduct a survey in the state on 40 Lok Sabha seats to know its position.

“The chief minister is from our party, but everything is being decided by the RJD. A coalition runs on consensus, which is not materialising. Both Lalu Prasad and Tejashwi Yadav recently met Nitish Kumar, promising close coordination,” a source said.

Nitish Kumar, known for switching sides, has taken multiple U-turns in the past. In 2013, the Janata Dal (United) broke its alliance with the BJP and joined hands with the RJD and Congress.

In 2020, the Bihar chief minister aligned with the BJP, becoming the chief minister, but in August 2022, he again severed ties with the BJP-led NDA.

Amid these political developments, the BJP reportedly has kept its doors open for Kumar, who recently declined to become the convenor of the INDIA bloc.

Nitish Kumar also met Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar for around 40 minutes at Raj Bhavan on January 23, seen as a move which indicates his intention to make a political move soon.

Kumar is also believed to be upset with the Congress, which leads the INDIA front, for delaying the strategy for Lok Sabha elections.