Nitish Kumar’s Rajya Sabha move may lead to ‘ideological takeover’ in Bihar politics: CPI(ML) Liberation

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s decision to move to the Rajya Sabha could lead to an “ideological takeover” of the State’s politics and a shift in the political discourse, CPI(ML) Liberation general secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya said on Sunday (March 8, 2026), calling it a “betrayal of the people of Bihar”.

According to sources, Mr. Bhattacharya alleged that the development reflected the growing dominance of the BJP over its ally Janata Dal (United) and could alter Bihar’s political landscape.

“I think this will mean some kind of a political takeover, not just a takeover of power, but also a change of discourse in Bihar and may be north India,” he said.

Calling the development a “big shock”, the Left leader said the manner in which it was unfolding appeared “very disrespectful” towards Kumar.

“People knew that the BJP is now effectively controlling the government, but the way it is happening is a kind of disrespectful dumping of Nitish Kumar,” he said, adding that many voters might feel “cheated” as the alliance had sought a mandate in Mr. Kumar’s name.

Mr. Kumar, the JD(U) chief, on Thursday (March 5, 2026) announced that he would be contesting the Rajya Sabha polls, bringing the curtains down on his tenure as Bihar’s longest-serving Chief Minister. The move comes months after he led the NDA to a landslide victory in the Assembly elections held in November last year.

The CPI(ML) Liberation is a member of the opposition Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance) in Bihar, which includes the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and the Congress.

Mr. Bhattacharya alleged that the people feel that it has been some kind of a coup engineered over a period of time from within the JD(U) around Nitish Kumar, adding the development could deepen unease within the JD(U), with many in the party apprehensive about its future.

“Within JD(U), they can see that this is how the party is almost being gobbled up by the BJP. So this is a power game of the BJP, and it’s not going to go down well,” he said.

According to him, although the JD(U) had been in alliance with the BJP for years, it had largely remained aligned with what he described as the “social justice camp”.

“Nitish Kumar always used to say that he would not compromise with the communal forces. Now that will go, and that will mean complete ideological subsumption of the JD(U) by the BJP,” he added.

He questioned the stated reason behind Mr. Kumar’s decision to move to the Rajya Sabha, saying it was difficult to believe that it was a long-standing aspiration of the veteran leader.

“Going to the Rajya Sabha cannot be some kind of a lifetime achievement award for someone who has been at the helm of affairs in Bihar for two decades,” Mr. Bhattacharya said.

“At one time, he was seen as a Prime Ministerial aspirant, and now we are told Rajya Sabha was his aspiration. Nothing could be flimsier than this,” he added.

He further alleged the move reflected the BJP’s attempt to project its political dominance. “It shows the language of power of the BJP. They think they enjoy complete power and they can be blunt about it,” he said.

Asked if the development could help opposition parties, Mr. Bhattacharya said the political situation had become clearer. “The question is not whether it helps or not. This is the reality and the opposition and the people will have to come to terms with it,” he said.

He also alleged that the State Government had begun functioning along the lines of what he described as “bulldozer rule”. “Demolitions have started, land acquisition is going on… Women have never before felt this insecure like in Bihar today,” he claimed.

Mr. Bhattacharya said issues such as unemployment, rural employment and social justice could trigger wider political mobilisation in the State. “Bihar is very sensitive and alive to the agenda of social justice. I can see a greater churning among the people on these issues,” he said.

On the possibility of leadership change in the State, he said the transition might not be smooth, especially if the BJP tried to install its own Chief Minister.

Watch | After two decades as CM, Nitish Kumar moves to Rajya Sabha

Published – March 08, 2026 08:13 pm IST