This BJP Leader First Paved The Way For Nitish Kumar To Become CM 20 Years Ago | Elections News

It was during a rally in Muzaffarpur that the BJP veteran abruptly announced Nitish Kumar as the NDA’s Chief Ministerial candidate. (PTI)

Bihar’s political theatre has long been known for its abrupt turns, yet certain episodes leave a deeper imprint than others. As Nitish Kumar readies himself to assume the Chief Minister’s office for a historic tenth term, political observers are revisiting a crucial chapter from 2005, an episode that not only reshaped his career but also altered the trajectory of the state’s politics.

Two decades ago, Nitish’s leadership within his own party was far from universally accepted. The 2005 Bihar Assembly elections, held in February that year, had delivered a fractured mandate, plunging the state into instability. With no clear majority in sight, Bihar was pushed toward a fresh election in October. The NDA sensed that its prospects depended on projecting a single, credible leader. Nitish Kumar emerged as the BJP’s preferred face, but the choice sparked resistance within the then Samata Party (later JD-U).

Senior journalist Ashok Kumar Sharma recalls that the leadership question had reached a deadlock. It was during a rally in Muzaffarpur that BJP veteran LK Advani abruptly announced Nitish Kumar as the NDA’s Chief Ministerial candidate.

While the BJP quickly rallied behind the declaration, the reaction within JD(U) was stormy. George Fernandes, one of the most senior figures in the party, openly expressed displeasure that such a crucial decision was taken without his consultation. Banka MP Digvijay Singh, too, was unconvinced about backing Nitish for the top post.

The announcement, though bold, was not enough. Implementing it required meticulous political management. Recognising the urgency, Advani tasked Arun Jaitley, then the BJP’s election in-charge, with resolving the standoff. Jaitley, who believed that Nitish was best placed to counter Lalu Prasad’s formidable influence after three successive victories, took charge of consolidating the alliance’s internal consensus. BJP strategist Pramod Mahajan joined him in the effort.

Their plan unfolded in Delhi, where they first met George Fernandes. By all accounts, the discussion was difficult. George was a seasoned political figure who rarely softened his stand once he had taken a position. But Jaitley persisted, emphasising that the NDA needed a leader acceptable across Bihar’s social groups if it hoped to challenge the Lalu-Rabri regime. Gradually, Fernandes relented. The team then reached out to Digvijay Singh, who also came on board after sustained persuasion.

With dissent ironed out and Nitish formally endorsed, the NDA entered the October 2005 polls with a unified face. The impact was immediate. The alliance secured a clear majority, bringing to an end 15 years of Lalu-Rabri rule. Nitish Kumar became Chief Minister for the first time, marking the beginning of a political chapter that continues to influence Bihar’s governance and electoral dynamics.

For Nitish, Arun Jaitley’s intervention was the turning point that cleared his path to leadership. Their association remained marked by mutual respect. When Jaitley passed away in 2019, Nitish declared two days of state mourning, called off official engagements, and travelled to Delhi to pay homage, underlining a bond rooted as much in political history as in personal regard.

As Nitish prepares to take the oath yet again, the events of 2005 serve as a reminder that Bihar’s defining moment emerged not during a public rally or dramatic confrontation, but through quiet negotiations steered by Jaitley’s political acumen.