BJP eyeing CM seat? Nitish Kumar visits Delhi ahead of election results

Bihar Chief Minister and Janata Dal (United) leader Nitish Kumar's visit to Delhi a day before the Lok Sabha election results has stirred speculation about its timing and purpose. Both the JD(U) and the BJP have described his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a courtesy call. However, political circles are abuzz with theories that Kumar may be eyeing a role outside the state, with new leadership potentially leading Bihar in the 2025 elections.

“There is no truth in these conjectures about the CM’s visit...he has met the PM and is likely to meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah. There are other alliance-related issues that may have come up at the meeting, but there is no question of a change in the state’s leadership,” said a JDU functionary aware of the details. The leader added that Kumar was in the Capital for a routine medical checkup and is expected back in the state.

Despite these explanations, speculation persists that the BJP might occupy the CM’s seat if the election results favor the party. A BJP leader in Bihar mentioned that if the BJP wins all 17 seats it is contesting, and the JD(U) does not perform well, a leadership change could be imminent. However, he clarified that this is mere speculation and not formally discussed within the party.

There is also talk that the BJP may appoint an Other Backward Class (OBC) leader as CM and allow its ally, the JD(U), to pick an upper caste deputy CM. This strategy aims to consolidate support among the OBCs, Economically Backward Classes (EBCs), and upper castes ahead of the assembly polls.