Nitish Kumar's alliance shift: New team formed with BJP as ally
PTC News Desk: In a political realignment, Janata Dal-United (JDU) leader Nitish Kumar assumed the Bihar Chief Minister's role for the ninth time, signaling a significant shift in alliances. Breaking away from the 'Mahagathbandhan' with the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Congress, Kumar formed a coalition with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The swearing-in ceremony at Raj Bhavan unveiled a rejuvenated team, featuring key figures like Samrat Choudhary, Vijay Kumar Sinha, and others, ushering in a new era in Bihar politics.
Central to this transition is Samrat Choudhary, the newly appointed Deputy Chief Minister and BJP state President. A prominent figure in Bihar politics, Choudhary, known for his distinctive turban, has traversed multiple parties, including the RJD and the JDU. Hailing from the Koeri community, an OBC group, he has held ministerial positions in Urban Development, Housing, Health, Metrology, and Horticulture.
Vijay Kumar Sinha, aged 64 and belonging to the influential Bhumihar community, has a diverse political journey. Starting with the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad during his engineering days, he entered Bihar Assembly politics in 2010. Serving as the Minister of Labour Resources in 2017, he later assumed the role of Bihar Assembly Speaker in 2020, facing notable incidents such as Nitish Kumar's outburst and an episode where he was held hostage by RJD members in 2021.
The appointment of Choudhary and Sinha as the deputy chief ministerial duo underscores the BJP's strategic move to balance caste considerations, aiming to appease OBCs while retaining support from the core upper caste base.
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The broader cabinet includes leaders like Prem Kumar, Vijay Kumar Chaudhary, Vijendra Yadav, Santosh Kumar Suman, Shravan Kumar, and Independent MLA Sumit Kumar Singh. Shravan Kumar, belonging to the Kurmi community, shares the same caste as Nitish Kumar, reflecting a calculated approach to caste representation.
As Bihar enters a new political phase, the reshaped alliance and diverse cabinet composition reflect a nuanced strategy aimed at maintaining broad-based support and addressing caste dynamics in the state.
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(Inputs from agencies)
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