The proof of the pudding is in the eating. This expression means that the value, quality, or truth of something must be judged based on direct experience with it—or on its results. Bihar’s chief minister Nitish Kumar has begun scouting around to forge opposition unity — with the express purpose of dislodging the BJP and grabbing power at the Centre. Nitish, famously called “Kursi Kumar” as he buried ideology and sat over it like a Raja for many years, now croons, “I don’t have lust for power, do not intend to be PM, want to do good for the country.” Such protestations might be taken with a pinch of salt. The past hangs heavy on him. His record speaks volumes.
West Bengal’s Mamata Banerjee asserted, “We have no personal ego. We want to work together and collectively.” To the discerning eye, what’s common between the two chief ministers – of Bihar and West Bengal – was their “lust” for the PM’s post, which they had asserted and reasserted in the past. Kumar, with his deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav in tow, met UP’s Akhilesh Yadav and Congress stalwarts including the Sonia-Rahul combine. Now, Kumar carries with him an affirmation of support from the Congress, SP and TMC to take the cause forward. Admittedly, this is for the first time that a semblance of “unity” is in evidence among the principal opposition parties. Kumar would take the canvassing further in the coming days with a somewhat childish, yet calculated assertion, “I don’t want anything for myself.” By uplifting Kumar to the national stage, Tejashwi’s eyes are firmly set on the CM’s chair. There’s a ‘method in the madness’.
The push by Kumar begins exactly a year before the start of the process for the 2024 general elections involving both parliament and assemblies. The timing is perfect. A big problem however is the credibility factor. Rahul Gandhi has received a hit below his belt via a court order. He might not be able to fight or even campaign for the next polls. The principal opponent of PM Modi is thus rubbing his wounds; which clearly prompted the Congress to have “adjustments” with the likes of Kumar. In the parliamentary polls, India has already edged closer to the US style of two main presidential candidates fighting things out, based on their individual merits and demerits. Here, instead, the perceived PM nominees would fight it out during the campaign time. Set against Modi, Nitish has a record of poor, sleepy governance; Bihar remained mostly in the dark ages under his long years of rule. Herein lies the rub. He could as well be the aughing stock; the wrong horse to bet on.