Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Speculation is rife that Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar may break away from the ruling Mahagathbandhan (grand alliance) with RJD and rejoin hands with BJP today (January 28) ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. This coalition with RJD and Congress was formed less than two years after Kumar split from the NDA.Will Nitish Kumar resign today ahead of Lok Sabha Elections 2024The RJD is scrambling to keep its numbers intact and strategize in case Kumar becomes CM again with the BJP. They may raise this issue in the Assembly on February 5 during the trust vote.Meanwhile, BJP MLAs, MPs, and functionaries in Bihar will meet on Sunday to discuss their plan. Sources say the BJP will wait for Kumars resignation before calling a legislative party meeting to stake claim to form a government with JD(U) as NDA allies.When will Nitish Kumar take oath as CM againIf this materializes, Kumar may take oath as chief minister again on Monday with BJPs Sushil Modi as his deputy. Modi remarked cryptically that closed doors can open and politics allows possibilities.Ties between JD(U) and RJD have deteriorated, exacerbated by RJD chief Lalu Yadavs daughter recently slamming Kumar over dynasty politics remarks. Kumars stance on parivarvad caused a rift in the coalition.What does Nitishs decision to rejoin the BJP underscoreHis potential NDA return will be a blow to the opposition INDIA bloc as Kumar is a key member. SP chief Akhilesh Yadav said Kumar could have become PM had he stayed with the INDIA alliance.Yadav accused Congress of not putting enough effort into keeping INDIA members united. Failed seat-sharing talks have already caused Trinamool Congress and AAP to exit the bloc for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.Kumar is also reportedly miffed with INDIA over seat allocation disagreements. The bloc has struggled with unity and collective strategy to challenge BJP in 2024.What happened earlier in 2022RJD faces uncertainty if Nitish Kumar defects to NDA again. After joining hands in 2022, JD(U) and RJD ended BJPs dominance in Bihar. But old rivalries persisted, leading to this instability.For BJP, returning as NDA partners with Kumar will bolster its position in the state before 2024. However, experts say constantly shifting allegiances weaken voter trust and governance stability in the long run.The evolving Bihar saga demonstrates the flux and fragility confronting Indias opposition. While attempts to unite against the BJP have faltered, the saffron party exhibits ruthlessness in realigning regional rivals. The road to 2024 remains challenging for a disjointed opposition.
