JD(U) on edge amid fears of BJP’s ‘Maha experiment’

PATNA: Political developments in Maharashtra, where BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis replaced Shiv Sena's Eknath Shinde, have cast a shadow over Bihar, putting JD(U) on high alert. Despite BJP assurances of fighting the 2025 Bihar assembly polls under JD(U) chief Nitish Kumar's leadership, the question now gripping JD(U) is whether the BJP could repeat the "Maharashtra experiment" if it nears the majority figure of 122 in Bihar's 243-seat assembly.

Though no one agreed to speak on record, senior JD(U) functionaries said the BJP had rejected Shinde's proposal to adopt Bihar's "coalition model", where Nitish remains CM despite his party winning fewer seats than the BJP. In Maharashtra, Shinde had led the NDA's campaign and hoped for a return to power. In the 2020 Bihar elections, JD(U) won just 43 seats, 31 fewer than BJP's 74, yet Nitish was offered the CM post. However, post-Maharashtra developments, JD(U) is debating Nitish's future.

A senior JD(U) functionary, speaking anonymously, said Nitish was not "power hungry" and had initially refused to become CM in 2020 due to his party's poor showing. "After the 2020 results, Nitish refused to continue as CM, citing the party's tally. But BJP leaders Rajnath Singh, J P Nadda and Bhupendra Yadav pressured him to accept the responsibility," the JD(U) neta said.

Another JD(U) functionary said although the party felt "shaky" after the Maharashtra events, Bihar is a different case. "Shinde lacked options as both factions of Shiv Sena follow Hindutva and his social base is weaker than JD(U)'s," he said. JD(U)'s 16.5% support base, proven in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, strengthens the NDA, with 30 out of 40 seats won.

"You may love Nitish Kumar or hate him, but you can't ignore him," said JD(U) spokesperson Neeraj Kumar, who added that both NDA and INDIA blocs recognise Nitish's political strength.

Political analyst N K Choudhary said the BJP cannot replace Nitish in Bihar due to the lack of a credible alternative. "Can you imagine what would happen if Nitish joins the opposition?" he asked. "In Maharashtra, Shinde was powerless, but in Bihar, everyone would embrace Nitish," Choudhary said.

DM Diwakar, another analyst, said the BJP was trying to weaken Nitish through various strategies. "Nitish and BJP don't trust each other. Their alliance is a marriage of convenience," Diwakar added.

Meanwhile, the JD(U) has reacted strongly to the Assam govt's beef consumption ban, distancing itself from the BJP. "Such decisions increase tension in society," JD(U) spokesperson Rajiv Ranjan Prasad said, adding that the Constitution grants individuals the right to choose their food and it is the responsibility of state govts to protect these rights.