Did Nitish Kumar predict his exit from Bihar politics back in 2020?

Nitish Kumar

• Nitish Kumar files Rajya Sabha nomination after years as Bihar CM
• His 2020 speech sparked speculation about his political exit
• Nitish switched alliances twice since 2020, rejoining NDA in 2024

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After having played a pivotal role in Bihar's government for over two decades, Bihar chief minister and JD(U) president Nitish Kumar on Thursday filed the nomination for the March 16 Rajya Sabha election. Union Home Minister Amit Shah and deputy chief ministers Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Sinha were with him.

As the political corridors in Bihar is abuzz with speculation over the probable chief ministerial candidates, an election speech from 2020, featuring Kumar is doing the rounds.

Did Nitish predict his exit from Bihar politics in 2020?

Kumar, in a stunning announcement while wrapping up his Bihar campaign in 2020, announced at a rally today that this was his last election. Shortly afterwards, sources close to him clarified that he meant the last meeting of this election.

Concluding his speech in Bihar's Purnia, an emotional Kumar said:" Today is the last day of electioneering. Polling for the last phase will be held the day after tomorrow. And, this is my last election." Shortly afterwards, sources close to him clarified that he meant the last meeting of this election.

As the comments set fire to retirement speculation, Nitish Kumar's party men denied accusations that he had pulled a desperate stunt for votes. Nitish Kumar's critics pointed out that he was known for his flips on similar grand declarations in the past.

A quick recap of 2020 polls

In the 2020 Bihar election, the NDA secured a majority in the assembly, winning 125 seats, with Nitish Kumar again taking oath as chief minister. BJP, JD(U), HAM and VSIP formed the NDA in the2020 polls. Meanwhile, the Congress, the RJD and the left parties formed the Opposition INDIA bloc in the 2020 Bihar polls.

How Nitish frequently swapped sides

Since the 2020 Bihar elections, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has swapped his alliance twice — in 2022 and 2024.

He had formed the Bihar government in 2020 after forging an alliance with the NDA. The key parties that formed the NDA back then were the BJP, JD(U), and HAM.

In August 2022, Nitish Kumar, dubbed "Paltu Ram" in political spheres, severed ties with the BJP and left the NDA to join hands with the RJD-Congress-led Mahagathbandhan. Tejashwi Yadav was then appointed Bihar's Deputy Chief Minister.

What happened in 2025?

In 2025, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) had secured one of its strongest mandates in two decades in the Bihar Assembly elections. With the coalition winning 200 seats in the 243-member Assembly, the result marked a consolidation of support for CM Nitish Kumar and the BJP-led alliance, eclipsing its own 2010 performance.