Patna: With CM Nitish Kumar on Monday resigning from his nearly two-decade membership of the state legislative council after being elected to the Rajya Sabha a fortnight ago, his move has revived discussion within the ruling NDA over the leadership of the Bihar govt once he formally steps aside from the chief minister’s post.While some leaders in the BJP believe the development could eventually open the way for the party to lead the govt in the state, political observers caution that the transition from JD(U) leadership to a BJP-led dispensation may not necessarily be straightforward.Nitish holds a unique position in Bihar’s political landscape. He has served as the state’s CM 10 times — a national record — and remains the longest-serving CM of the state, having led successive govts for around two decades.Within political circles, several possibilities are being discussed regarding how the next CM will be chosen within the NDA, which comprises five parties — the BJP, JD(U), LJP (Ram Vilas), HAM (S) and RLM.One view is that the senior leaders of the NDA in Bihar will collectively deliberate and arrive at a consensus on the next CM. Another possibility being discussed is that the BJP, as the largest party in the alliance, may propose a name that is subsequently endorsed by the other NDA partners. A third view suggests that the decision could ultimately rest with the BJP’s central leadership.There is also speculation in political circles that the choice may involve consultations with Nitish himself, given his long-standing role as the alliance’s principal leader in the state.State BJP spokesman and former MLA Prem Ranjan Patel, however, indicated that the decision would emerge through discussions within the alliance.“The NDA leaders will sit together, discuss the issue and decide the next CM, who will be from the BJP. When they will sit together is a matter of time,” Patel said.“In fact, it will be their collective decision. There is no pressure on the NDA. They together resolved the matters related to the Lok Sabha, state assembly and Rajya Sabha elections. Even this matter regarding who the next CM will also be resolved in an atmosphere of mutual understanding and harmony,” he added.At the same time, leaders across the alliance remain cautious about drawing conclusions regarding the future political arrangement in the state. According to sources familiar with internal discussions, JD(U) leaders have conveyed certain expectations regarding the transition phase and the structure of the new govt.These include consultation with Nitish on the leadership decision as well as discussions on the distribution of key responsibilities within the alliance once the new arrangement takes shape.
