Nitish Kumar, the president of Janata Dal (United), has had a long and dynamic political career, serving as the Chief Minister of Bihar for the longest duration. Born on March 1, 1951, in Bakhtiyarpur, Bihar, Kumar is an electrical engineer by training. He entered politics during his college days and became associated with the "JP movement." His first electoral success came in the 1985 assembly elections, and he later served as an MP from the Barh constituency.
Nitish Kumar was part of the Samata Party, which later evolved into the JD(U), and aligned with the BJP to share power both at the Centre and in the state. His first term as Chief Minister was marked by improvements in law and order and innovative policies like sub-quotas among OBCs and Dalits. Despite belonging to the Kurmi community, a non-dominant caste, Kumar successfully navigated Bihar politics.
In 2013, he broke ties with the BJP, but with outside support, he managed to remain in power. However, he resigned in 2014, taking moral responsibility for the JD(U)'s Lok Sabha election defeat. He returned as Chief Minister in less than a year, forming the Grand Alliance with RJD and Congress in 2015. The alliance won the assembly polls but disintegrated in 2017.
Nitish Kumar rejoined the NDA in 2017 but grew disillusioned again after the 2020 assembly polls. In 2022, he returned to the Grand Alliance and indicated his desire to mentor Tejashwi Yadav as his political successor. Kumar played a key role in forming the opposition front INDIA but faced challenges in the coalition's internal dynamics.
Known for pragmatic political decisions, Nitish Kumar has been accused of opportunism, with nicknames like 'Paltu Ram.' Despite criticism, he has managed to stay relevant in Bihar politics for over four decades, showcasing his political acumen and survival instincts.
(With Agency Inputs)
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