Political strategist Prashant Kishor has labeled Nitish Kumar's return to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as a significant setback for the opposition in India. Kumar, the leader of the Janata Dal (United), has decided to rejoin the BJP, a move that Kishor believes has more psychological implications than tangible gains for the ruling party.
In an analysis of the political landscape in Bihar, Kishor highlighted the importance of alliances in securing a majority in the state assembly. With 243 seats up for grabs, any party or coalition needs at least 122 seats to form a government. Currently, the BJP holds 78 seats, making it the dominant force in Bihar politics, closely followed by the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) with 79 seats.
Despite Kumar's return to the BJP, Kishor doubts it will significantly bolster the party's electoral prospects in Bihar. In an interview with India Today, he suggested that by luring Kumar away from the opposition alliance, the BJP has dealt a psychological blow to its rivals rather than substantially strengthening its own position.
Kumar's political journey has been marked by frequent shifts between parties in pursuit of power, resulting in a decline in the strength of the JD(U) in the Bihar Assembly. While the JD(U) secured 115 seats in the 2010 elections, its tally dwindled to 71 in 2015, and currently stands at 45 MLAs. However, by aligning with the BJP, which has 82 seats, Kumar has managed to secure his position as a key player in the latest political realignment.
Kishor emphasized that Kumar's return to the BJP signifies the final phase of his political career. He lamented that had the opposition formed the I.N.D.I.A alliance earlier, the outcome might have been different. Kishor suggested that Kumar was viewed as a crucial figure in this potential alliance due to his influence and experience.
In Kishor's view, the BJP's decision to welcome Kumar back into its fold is part of a broader strategy aimed at sacrificing short-term battles to secure long-term victories.
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