Despite a landslide victory in the Bihar Assembly elections, the two NDA constituents — the JD(U) and the BJP — have to remain together to form the next government in the state. The JD(U), which jumped from its previous tally of 88 to 115, is still short of eight seats to cross the magic number of its own in an Assembly of 243 and the BJP, which always played a second fiddle in the ruling alliance, too gained substantially as it improved it numbers from previous 54 to 91.
A senior JD(U) leader, considered to be close to chief minister Nitish Kumar, while confirming that the two parties in the ruling alliance would continue to work together, said numbers in politics do play a vital role, but in Bihar numerical strength is not the only criteria to remain together. “We have the longest alliance and we came together when we were not in power either in the state or at the Centre. It’s the political expediency that has kept us together,” he said.
Analysing the term “political expediency” used by the JD(U) leader, independent observers feel that since Mr Kumar has been getting the BJP’s support on his terms, there is no reason for him to break up the alliance. “He has the numbers now and can work out a majority for himself without the BJP. But this will leave him with a very strong Opposition, which any chief minister would not like. Also, unlike in Orissa, the BJP is not troubling the JD(U) by pursuing its communal agenda in the state,” they said.
Meanwhile, JD(U) chief Sharad Yadav said the results are the outcome of the socio-economic development programme implemented by the Nitish-led government in the state. He said alliance with the BJP would continue in future. “The RJD and LJP had been only giving lectures (on the issue of development) for last 20-25 years. We spoke about it (development) only after we brought it and the result is before every one. Work spoke,” Mr Yadav said, adding, “Our alliance has won the election. There was an alliance, there is an alliance and there will be an alliance.”