M31Global News
In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Bihar’s Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has become a crucial figure with his party, Janata Dal (United) or JD(U), performing better than expected. The JD(U) has won two seats and is leading in ten others as of 7 p.m. on June 4. This development comes as the BJP falls short of a majority, making Nitish Kumar a potential kingmaker.
![Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Bihar Chief Minister and Janta Dal United President Nitish Kumar](https://m31globalnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Screenshot-2024-06-05-000813.jpg)
Defying predictions, the JD(U), which contested 16 seats under the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), is set to win more seats than anticipated. Nitish Kumar’s reputation for switching sides at critical moments has made him a pivotal player in this election.
Another NDA allied, the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) led by Chirag Paswan, is expected to win all five seats it contested: Hajipur (reserved), Vaishali, Samastipur, Khagaria, and Jamui (reserved).
State JD(U) president Umesh Kushwaha commented, “This victory is a testament to Nitish Kumar’s development work in Bihar. The people have shown their trust in him once again.”
However, Rashtriya Janta Dal (RJD) leader Manoj Jha highlighted Nitish Kumar’s past role in forming the INDIA alliance, stating, “We have been in alliance with Nitish Kumar and know he opposes the vendetta politics that BJP represents.” RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav hinted at significant political changes in Bihar following the election results.
JD(U) leaders confirmed that the party would continue to support the NDA and attend the alliance meeting in New Delhi on Wednesday. Party spokesperson K.C. Tyagi reiterated, “The party is with NDA and will stay with NDA.”
Political analysts see the JD(U)’s performance as a significant boost for the party. Political commentator N.K. Choudhary remarked, “This mandate gives the JD(U) a new lease of life. Nitish Kumar has skillfully built a support base among the Extremely Backward Classes (EBC), who make up 36% of the population, and the non-Yadav Other Backward Classes (OBC). This coalition worked well with BJP’s upper caste voters.”
Analyst Ajay Kumar added, “The RJD and Mahagathbandhan couldn’t penetrate Nitish Kumar’s core support base, which includes EBCs, Dalits, non-Yadav OBCs, and BJP’s upper caste voters.”
Among Bihar’s 40 seats, NDA partner Rashtriya Lok Morcha’s leader Upendra Kushwaha lost in Karakat, while Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) leader Jitan Ram Manjhi won the Gaya (reserved) seat, defeating Mahagathbandhan’s Kumar Sarvajeet of the RJD.
The Team, M31Global News