- By Aditya Jha
- Fri, 06 Mar 2026 09:34 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
Bihar Politics: With Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar moving to the Rajya Sabha, the political dynamics of the state have changed significantly. Within the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA), Nitish Kumar's Janata Dal United (JDU) has been in the role of "big brother" for the past two decades; however, that will change with the BJP having its own chief minister for the first time in the state. With Nitish Kumar's exit from state politics, JDU is also likely to explore its next face to continue its dominance, especially in Southern Bihar.
How BJP Overtook JDU?
Even before the state assembly election, there were signs of change in the role within the alliance. The JDU, for the first time, agreed to not contest more seats than the BJP. While the top brass of the BJP acknowledged that the election was fought under the leadership of Nitish Kumar, they did not announce him as the CM face. Apart from this, Nitish Kumar also gave up the key home ministry post for the first time.
How Did JDU Lose Its Stature?
Earlier in 2020, questions were raised on Nitish Kumar's decision to hold the chief minister's post even after the JDU just managed to win 45 seats. While JDU almost doubled its tally in the 2025 Assembly polls, it still remained behind BJP, leading to serious questions on the relevance of the "big brother" tag. With the BJP's rise, especially in the rural regions, the JDU became the junior party in the alliance over the years.
What's next for the JDU?
While Nitish Kumar will continue to lead the party, the party is likely to explore other options to maintain its dominance in the state. Nishant, Kumar's son, is set to enter active politics soon but is unlikely to get major responsibility due to inexperience. The next generation of leaders, including Sanjay Jha, Lalan Singh, and Vijay Chaudhary, are the frontrunners to lead the party.