Patna: Come Saturday, the significant political query is centered on the nature of Nitish Kumar’s agreement with the BJP. As the Chief Minister of Bihar and the leader of Janata Dal (United), Nitish Kumar’s political journey has been characterized by negotiations and shifts in alliances. With indications pointing towards a renewed alliance between the BJP and JD(U), the arrangement appears to mirror the post-2020 Assembly election scenario. It is anticipated that Nitish Kumar will resume his role as the Chief Minister, leading the NDA government in Bihar, and there is speculation about the possibility of having two Deputy Chief Ministers from the BJP.
Further insights into Nitish’s future role are expected to unfold on Saturday, as both the BJP and JD(U) are scheduled to conduct party meetings. Subsequently, a meeting of the alliance will be convened to designate Nitish as its leader. During this process, Nitish is expected to assert a fresh claim to form the government in collaboration with the BJP, a move likely to take place over the weekend.
Nitish Kumar’s decision to align with a party he once accused of attempting to “split and finish off” the JD(U) can be attributed to a combination of factors. One significant factor appears to be the discomfort Nitish felt within the current political setup involving the Congress, RJD, and the INDIA bloc at large. Reports suggest that at least seven JD(U) MPs were in contact with the BJP before the Lok Sabha polls, prompting Nitish to recognize the potential division within the party. In an effort to safeguard the political survival of the JD(U), Nitish chose to rejoin the NDA. Frailties within the INDIA alliance and disagreements with the Congress are also cited as contributing factors to this decision.
On the BJP’s side, internal surveys forecasting an NDA tally in the state below 25 seats played a pivotal role in reopening communication channels with the former ally. In 2019, when the JD(U) was part of the alliance, the NDA won a substantial 39 out of Bihar’s 40 Lok Sabha seats.
Meanwhile, in another arena, a significant legal development is unfolding with a five-judge Bench of the Supreme Court, including CJI D Y Chandrachud and the four most senior judges of the court. They will hold a special sitting to examine the events in the Calcutta High Court, where a judge has accused a fellow judge of acting in favor of a specific political party in the state. Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay directed a CBI investigation into alleged irregularities in MBBS admissions despite a contrary order from a Division Bench, leveling accusations against Justice Soumen Sen in the written order.
The repercussions of the top court’s observations in this sensitive matter are expected to be closely monitored throughout the day, with political parties in West Bengal likely to offer their reactions to these developments.
In the context of the ongoing situation, it’s noteworthy that Justice Gangopadhyay has a history of frequent conflicts with the Trinamool Congress (TMC)-led state government. In April 2023, the Supreme Court reprimanded him for an interview given to regional news channel ABP Ananda in September 2022, where he discussed the teachers’ recruitment scam trial.
Justice Gangopadhyay’s observations have often targeted the TMC. He previously criticized senior TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s nephew and the party’s de facto number two, for remarks against the judiciary. In November 2022, the TMC faced criticism from the judge when he indicated, during a hearing on the school jobs scam, that he might consider asking the Election Commission to cancel the recognition of the Mamata Banerjee-led outfit as a political party and withdraw its logo.
Shifting focus, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to address the annual NCC PM Rally at the Cariappa parade ground in New Delhi on Saturday. The event will see the participation of over 2,200 NCC cadets and young cadets from 24 foreign countries. This address follows the PM’s recent virtual interaction with around 30 lakh first-time voters, where he touched upon various issues for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, employing language tailored to resonate with the youth.
Certainly, the Prime Minister’s addresses leading up to the elections will be under close scrutiny as they play a crucial role in shaping the narrative that the BJP seeks to convey, especially in reaching out to young voters.
The release of the BJP’s official campaign song on Thursday further underscores the party’s emphasis on connecting with the youth. The campaign song features young entrepreneurs and emphasizes the idea that the Modi government is fostering self-reliance (“atmanirbhar”) among the people. Additionally, there is a focus on highlighting the effective delivery of the Prime Minister’s welfare programs.
This strategic approach reflects the party’s recognition of the significant influence young voters can have in shaping the electoral landscape, and the narrative seems designed to resonate with the aspirations and concerns of this demographic. As election campaigns evolve, observing how these messages are received and how they impact public opinion will be essential.