Flutter as ‘Kingmaker’ Nitish Kumar Tries to Touch Modi’s Feet

Flutter as ‘Kingmaker’ Nitish Kumar Tries to Touch Modi’s Feet

Keywords: Nitish Kumar, Modi, BJP, JD(U), RJD

In a significant political development, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar of the Janata Dal (United) (JD(U)) attempted to touch the feet of Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the inauguration of the new campus of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) in Patna.

The incident occurred during the event when Modi was about to depart from the stage. Kumar, who was standing behind Modi, rushed forward and tried to touch his feet. Modi initially hesitated but eventually allowed Kumar to do so.

The gesture has been widely interpreted as a sign of Kumar’s political dependence on Modi and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Kumar has been a key ally of the BJP in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) since 2017, when he broke away from the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) to form a new government with the BJP’s support.

However, Kumar’s JD(U) has been facing increasing challenges from the RJD and other opposition parties in recent times. The RJD, led by Lalu Prasad Yadav, has been actively working to woo Kumar’s traditional support base of backward castes and minorities.

In an attempt to counter the RJD’s challenge, Kumar may have decided to reaffirm his loyalty to Modi, who remains a popular figure in Bihar. By touching Modi’s feet, Kumar may have hoped to send a message to his supporters that he is firmly aligned with the BJP and will not be swayed by the RJD’s overtures.

The incident has also raised questions about the future of the NDA in Bihar. Kumar’s JD(U) is the second largest party in the NDA after the BJP, and his support is crucial for the alliance’s success in the upcoming assembly elections in 2025.

If Kumar continues to feel threatened by the RJD, he may be tempted to reconsider his ties with the BJP and explore other options. This could potentially lead to a political realignment in Bihar and have significant implications for the national political landscape.