The BJP-led NDA alliance is set to form government for the third time in the country, with Narendra Modi taking oath as Prime Minister. However, this government will rely on the support of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s party JDU, underscoring Kumar’s significance in the central government. Nitish has indirectly asked for special status for Bihar, raising speculations about his trustworthiness and the potential challenges he might pose for the BJP in governing.

Nitish Kumar and Chandrababu Naidu stand as two crucial pillars within the NDA, and their exit from the alliance could lead to a significant political crisis. Throughout the two tenures of the NDA government from 2014 to 2024, the BJP, holding the majority of seats, had the main decision-making power, with other parties receiving relatively lesser consideration in any major decision.

Nitish Kumar, while maintaining a commendable track record as Bihar’s Chief Minister, has a less favorable performance as a supporting figure in any alliance. His relationship with PM Modi and his support for the NDA have been very evident. In 2009 and 2010, Nitish stopped Modi from conducting election campaigns in Bihar. In 2013, when Modi rose as the face of the BJP, Sushasan babu ended his 17-year alliance with the NDA.

In 2017, Nitish Kumar re-entered an alliance with the BJP only to break it off again in 2022. Nitish previously emphasized the importance of Congress as opposition and organized the first meeting for the INDIA Alliance in Patna. However, he later parted ways with the INDIA Bloc and reunited with the BJP. Currently, he has pledged his support solely to the BJP and Modi.

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