The recent CBI raids on former Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav and his family members and BJP demanding the resignation of Lalu’s son and Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav have aroused a lot of political turmoil in Bihar.
Following the raids, BJP had demanded the resignation of Tejashwi on the grounds of he being connected with CBI case. Even the mahagathbandhan of JD(U)-RJD and Congress is in weak lines and there might be a breakup in the alliance, though both RJD and JD(U) have ensured that nothing like this will happen. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has always been known for his clean image throughout his political career and is determined to maintain it at any cost. The recent clarification of Tejashwi Yadav has made a vital point in favour of Nitish Kumar. Tejashwi revealed that he was first alleged of financial irregularities when he was just 14.
Looking at the recent scenarios, it is clear that Nitish will contend for the post of CM and that JD(U) needs an ally to win in Bihar, but the question is who will be the ally BJP or RJD and Congress. Nitish Kumar has enough time to decide whether it will continue the mahagathbandhan or will join back with BJP led NDA government. The General elections are due in 2019 and the Assembly election in Bihar are due in 2020.
As BJP and CBI raids are increasing the pressure on Lalu, even if RJD pulls out from the alliance, it is likely Nitish might win the elections as BJP is ready to extend support to his government and NDA (53) plus JDU (71) would cross the halfway mark in the 243-member Bihar Assembly.
Now the present situation says that RJD is more in need of JD(U) rather than JD(U) needing the RJD support, if the law announces the decision against Lalu, RJD will surely be out of power and it is unlikely that a politician like Lalu will take the impulsive decision of backing out from the mahagathbandhan.
Now it is up to Nitish Kumar which ally he wants to form the alliance with as BJP, JD(U) and RJD, all three parties are well aware that it cannot win the polls single-handedly. BJP also need JD(U) to win in Bihar and JD(U) also needs an ally. Now it will be RJD or BJP to make an alliance with JD(U) will be determined in the next Lok Sabha elections.