Nitish Kumar to swear in as JD(U)-BJP Chief Minister on Jan 28: Sources

PTC News Desk: According to insider information, Nitish Kumar is poised to take the oath as the Chief Minister of a new alliance between the Janata Dal (United) and the BJP in Bihar on January 28. Sushil Modi, a prominent BJP leader, is expected to be sworn in as his deputy.

Sushil Modi commented on the unfolding development, stating that closed doors can open in politics, describing it as a "game of possibilities." However, he refrained from providing further details on the matter.

In response to these reports, RJD chief has sought clarity from Nitish Kumar, urging him to address the situation by the evening. Top BJP sources have communicated that the party's leadership has instructed the Patna unit to approach government formation cautiously. A decision is anticipated after a two-day executive meeting, set to commence tomorrow, in the presence of BJP national general secretary Vinod Tawde, who is expected to arrive in Patna on Saturday.

The political landscape in Bihar has witnessed heightened tensions within the current alliance of JD(U) and Lalu Prasad Yadav's RJD. The tension escalated this week following the conferment of the Bharat Ratna to socialist icon Karpoori Thakur by the BJP-led Centre.

BJP leader Giriraj Singh, previously critical of Nitish Kumar, expressed a more welcoming tone regarding the political transition in Bihar. He stated, "The central leadership (of BJP) will decide about it (Nitish Kumar's return to NDA). Whatever decision the central leadership takes, we will welcome it."

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The political upheaval has been accompanied by Nitish Kumar's "parivarvaad" remark, drawing a sharp response from Lalu Yadav's daughter, Rohini Acharya. Congress sources have indicated skepticism about Nitish Kumar's potential realignment with the BJP, expressing doubts about the roles of Chirag Paswan and Upender Kushwaha.

Amid the unfolding political drama, Chirag Paswan reportedly postponed his Republic Day programs, holding an important meeting with the party's national and state officials. The decision on Nitish Kumar's potential return to the BJP-led NDA is expected within the next two to three days, with a cabinet distribution mirroring the previous JD(U)-BJP government.

Nitish Kumar's discontentment with the current coalition, seat-sharing talks within the INDIA bloc, and his perception of the Congress's motives behind the 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra' have contributed to the political turbulence in Bihar.

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(Inputs from agencies)