At last Nitish Kumar has taken the plunge and broken away from the BJP-led NDA. His JD (U) won the vote of confidence in the Bihar Assembly very easily. Nitish Kumar continues to be Chief Minister of Bihar. Four Congress MLAs supported the JD (U). A future Congress-JD (U) alliance is not ruled out in the parliamentary elections of 2014. It can even lead to seat adjustments in the poll. Six BJP legislators in Bihar have resigned and may join the JD (U). Further erosion in BJP ranks in Bihar is not unlikely. The BJP had issued a whip to all its legislators but most of them walked out when the vote was taken. The whip was issued because it was feared that some BJP MLAs would vote for the JD(U). The Congress says that it has not decided to form an alliance with the JD (U) but indications are pointing that way. Manmohan Singh has praised Nitish Kumar as a secular leader. The Centre may now be more willing to give Bihar special status.
Of course, a JD (U)-Congress tie-up will be a threat to the BJP. The Congress partnership with the RJD, the JD (U)’s principal rival, may create complications. Pre-poll seat adjustments between the JD (U) and the Congress will bring a large chunk of the Muslim vote to the possible alliance. Nitish Kumar, however, has to keep an eye on maintaining good governance for which he has earned a great reputation. This will further strengthen the new alliance in sight.