Nitish Kumar has been the focal point of Bihar's politics for the past 20 years. In the 2025 elections, JDU and BJP gained an advantage, and Nitish Kumar became Chief Minister for the 10th time. His continuous hold on power demonstrates his strategic prowess and skill in changing alliances.
Bihar Politics: For the past 20 years, Nitish Kumar has been the sole focal point of politics in Bihar. Regardless of which party came to or left power, the Chief Minister's chair has always been reserved for Nitish Kumar. Nitish Kumar is now set to take the oath as Chief Minister for the 10th time, an achievement that places him among the longest-serving leaders in power not just in Bihar, but across the entire country. His continuous hold on power is a result of his political acumen and his ability to frequently change alliances.
Over the past 10 years, Nitish Kumar formed governments with the RJD twice, and then returned to the NDA. His strategy has consistently ensured that whichever alliance he is part of forms the government, and he alone takes the oath as Chief Minister. In this article, we will understand in detail how Nitish Kumar maintained his dominance over Bihar's politics for the past two decades.
End of Lalu Family's Rule
The year 2005 marked a significant shift in Bihar's politics. Nitish Kumar formed an alliance between JDU and BJP, bringing an end to the long-standing rule of Lalu Yadav and his family. In that election, JDU won 88 seats, BJP 55, RJD 54, and Congress only 9 seats. As JDU had the highest number of seats, there was no objection to Nitish Kumar becoming Chief Minister. This was his first major political milestone, establishing him as a prominent face in Bihar politics.
The Image of 'Sushasan Babu' and the 2010 Election
By the 2010 assembly elections, Nitish Kumar's image as 'Sushasan Babu' (Good Governance Man) had been firmly established. This time too, JDU and BJP contested the elections together and inflicted a crushing defeat on the RJD. In the election, JDU won 115 seats, BJP 91, RJD 22, and Congress only 4 seats. The results of this election re-established Nitish Kumar in the Chief Minister's post and further solidified his reputation for good governance. During this period, his leadership capabilities and understanding of politics made him the most influential leader in Bihar.
Resignation from Chief Minister's Post for 9 Months
Before the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, differences began to grow between JDU and BJP. In the Lok Sabha elections, JDU won only 2 seats, while BJP secured 31 seats. Taking responsibility for the election defeat, Nitish Kumar resigned from the Chief Minister's post. He appointed his trusted leader Jitan Ram Manjhi, who hailed from the Musahar community, as Chief Minister. Manjhi held this position for only 9 months. In February 2015, Nitish Kumar returned to power by taking the oath as Chief Minister himself.
Alliance with Arch-Rival RJD
In the 2015 assembly elections, Nitish Kumar changed his political strategy, forming an alliance between his party JDU and RJD. This alliance surprised the BJP. In the election, JDU won 71 seats, RJD 80, Congress 27, and BJP only 53 seats. This alliance helped Nitish Kumar become Chief Minister again. However, this government lasted only 2 years, and in 2017, Nitish Kumar broke the alliance with RJD and joined the NDA.
Became Chief Minister Despite Fewer Seats
In the 2020 assembly elections, JDU and BJP once again came together. This time, RJD emerged as the single largest party, but the Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance) could not secure a majority. JDU won 43 seats, BJP 74, RJD 75, and Congress 19 seats. With the NDA having a majority, Nitish Kumar became Chief Minister again. This election proved that despite having fewer seats, Nitish Kumar's political acumen and alliance strategy positioned him to become Chief Minister.
Frequently Changing Political Alliances
Nitish Kumar has consistently demonstrated his ability to change alliances according to political circumstances. In 2022, he broke ties with the NDA and formed a government with the RJD, becoming Chief Minister for the 8th time. However, this government also did not last more than two years. In January 2024, he once again broke the alliance with RJD and joined the NDA, becoming Chief Minister for the 9th time.
The 2025 Election and the Record Maintained
In the 2025 Bihar assembly elections, the JDU and BJP duo performed exceptionally well. This time, JDU won 85 and BJP secured 89 seats. Meanwhile, RJD was limited to just 25 seats, and Congress to 6 seats. Following this election, Nitish Kumar took the oath as Chief Minister for the 10th time. This proves that for the past 20 years, Nitish Kumar has remained the sole focal point of Bihar's politics.
