Nitish's Somersault: About-Turn In Bihar

Nitish Kumar ditches the firmly secular but overbearing ally for an old but loyal partner who will certainly expand its ideological sway.

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With Bihar having fallen in the National Democratic Alliance(NDA) kitty with the collapse of the Mahagatbandhan (Grand Alliance), the scenario for the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) has turned bleaker for the 2019 General Elections. By deserting the ‘Grand Alliance’, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has signaled that he foresees a better future for himself in the NDA in years ahead and given the choice of siding with the corrupt and the communal, he is more comfortable with the latter. The drama unfolded in the state capital on July 26 in a quick sequence. Though Mr. Lalu Yadav, the chief of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), was in shock, it seems that the script had been meticulously prepared for the shift of power from one alliance to another, albeit under the same leader. The new alliance government headed by Nitish is likely to have a smooth sailing what with BJP and allies with 57 MLAs will be partners in the Government headed by leader of the JDU which has 71 seats in the 234-member