Resilience, strategic alliances: Nitish Kumar towers over all in Bihar’s dynamic political landscape

His strategies have effectively thwarted BJP from appointing its own CM in Bihar

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In a political career spanning 50 years, Nitish Kumar has displayed an uncanny knack for rising like a Phoenix every time sceptics and detractors have sought to write him off.

‘The most atypical of politicians owing their rise to post-Mandal politics, Nitish stood out for his ability to address the governance deficit, unlike a majority of the breed reared in the socialist stable, but was often accused of pursuing politics of opportunism.

Call it political opportunism or sagacity, his moves, in effect, have not allowed the BJP to appoint its own chief minister to date, despite enjoying a near hegemonic status nationally and the best performance in recently held Assembly polls where the saffron party bagged 89 seats, followed by the JD(U) with 85.

Kumar is among the 10 longest-serving CMs in the country. He has been in power for 19 years.

His frequent switching sides in his political career earned him the nickname ‘Paltu Ram, whereas he is also called ‘sushashan babu’ for good governance.