The Bihar Conundrum: Who Will Win the Power Game?

BJP’s Evolution from a Struggling Party to a Political Giant

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has undergone a remarkable transformation over the decades, evolving from a party with just two seats in the 1984 Lok Sabha elections to a dominant force securing 303 seats in 2019. However, the 2024 general elections, where it won only 240 seats, marked a turning point. Forced to rely on regional allies to form the government, the BJP viewed this as a setback but responded with renewed determination, securing victories in state elections across Odisha, Haryana, and Delhi, along with its best-ever performance in Maharashtra.

With its sights now set on the Bihar Legislative Assembly elections in October-November 2025, the BJP is implementing a strategic shift—one that ensures regional allies do not dominate while using them as stepping stones for its own growth.

The Party’s Pragmatic Approach to Ideology and Alliances

Since its inception in 1981, the BJP has carefully navigated the balance between its core pro-Hindu ideology and the need to expand its voter base. Initially treated as a political outcast due to its Hindutva stance, the party found early acceptance with Shiv Sena in Maharashtra and the Shiromani Akali Dal in Punjab—both of which had deep religious affiliations.

Over time, the BJP broadened its alliances, partnering with parties that label themselves as secular, such as the Janata Dal-United (JD-U) in Bihar and the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) in Andhra Pradesh. It achieved this by redefining secularism, accusing the Congress of “Muslim appeasement” and branding it as “pseudo-secular.”

The BJP-JD(U) Relationship: A Strategic Game of Power

The BJP’s relationship with Nitish Kumar’s JD-U in Bihar has been one of constant shifts. In 2013, Kumar parted ways with the BJP, citing Narendra Modi’s rise as the party’s prime ministerial face as a threat to his Muslim vote bank. However, in recent years, Nitish Kumar has found himself politically cornered, with declining popularity and limited options.

Sensing this, the BJP has maneuvered carefully, ensuring that Nitish Kumar remains a temporary ally while working toward absorbing the JD-U’s voter base. In a clever move, the BJP recently announced that the 2025 Bihar elections would be contested under Nitish Kumar’s leadership, responding to demands from his son, Nishant Kumar, who has suddenly become politically active. This newfound political engagement suggests that Nitish Kumar may be preparing to pass on his legacy to his son.

BJP’s Plan: A Post-Nitish Bihar

Despite Nitish Kumar’s waning influence, the BJP continues to support him—not out of necessity but as a means to secure a stronger foothold in Bihar once he exits the political stage. The party has strategically committed to fighting under his leadership without guaranteeing his continuation as Chief Minister.

There is speculation that the BJP might be playing a behind-the-scenes role in Nishant Kumar’s rise, possibly offering him a deputy chief ministerial post or a central role in return for a weakened JD-U presence in Bihar’s political landscape.

The Shift in Electoral Dominance

The 2020 Bihar elections already signaled that BJP had overtaken JD-U in voter preference. The JD-U contested 115 seats and won just 43, whereas the BJP won 74 out of 110. In 2025, the BJP intends to contest more seats than JD-U, positioning itself as the dominant partner in the alliance.

This approach aligns with BJP’s larger national strategy—not allowing regional allies to overshadow its presence. The party has learned from the Congress’s downfall, which stemmed from an over-reliance on regional allies, leading to its decline as a national force.

Bihar: A Crucial Battleground for BJP’s Future

With regional parties playing a decisive role in Bihar, the upcoming elections are crucial in determining whether the BJP can establish itself as the single largest force in the state. The party’s long-term vision ensures that even if some regional allies break away, its own expansion remains unhindered.

Bihar’s power game is entering its most crucial phase, and the BJP seems well-prepared to reshape the political landscape to its advantage—one step at a time.

Author: This news is edited by: Abhishek Verma, (Editor, CANON TIMES)

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