Patna: CM and JD(U) president Nitish Kumar’s decision to file nomination papers for a Rajya Sabha seat on Thursday triggered intense speculation in political circles, with many viewing it as a setback to the party’s 2025 poll pitch of “2025 Se 30, Phir Se Nitish”. His move, seen as a possible shift to Delhi politics, left JD(U) workers stunned and scrambling to rally behind him, fearing it could unsettle the party’s future and embolden the BJP to dictate the state’s leadership.Soon after Nitish posted on social media that he had decided to file his nomination for the Rajya Sabha—indicating a shift to national politics—panic spread among JD(U) workers. They told reporters that the BJP lacked substantial support in the state even during the 2025 assembly polls and had relied on Nitish’s image.“People believed in the slogans 2025 Phir Se Nitish and 2025–30 Phir Se Nitish, and voted for the BJP as well. The mandate was for CM Nitish Kumar, but the BJP now wants to install its own CM. We will not allow that,” one of them said. “We want Nitish to continue as CM,” he added.Their aim, they said, was both to demonstrate loyalty to Nitish and appeal to him to reconsider his decision. A JD(U) functionary said the situation could be stabilised only if Nitish is replaced by another JD(U) leader as CM. “If the next CM is from the BJP, the JD(U) will enter a phase of uncertainty,” he added.The JD(U)-BJP alliance first came to power in 2005 amid public anger against the 15-year rule of former CMs Lalu Prasad and Rabri Devi. Although the NDA did not use any major slogan in 2010, it swept 206 of 243 seats riding on Nitish’s image of hope against the RJD’s “years of despair”.In 2015, when JD(U), RJD and Congress formed the Mahagathbandhan, Nitish’s campaign line was “Bihar Mein Bahar Hai, Nitishe Kumar Hai.” Ahead of the 2020 polls, after rejoining the NDA, the BJP campaigned with “NDA 175 Paar” but the alliance ended up with 126 seats, with JD(U) reduced to 43. Nitish managed to form the govt, but with diminished strength.
