Despite widespread speculations and rumours about his age as well as physical and mental health, Nitish Kumar succeeded in becoming the Chief Minister of Bihar after a landslide victory of NDA in the State Assembly Elections 2025. He took the oath of office as the Chief Minister for the 10th time along with 26 ministers.
However, political observers believe that Nitish’s path will not be easy in 2026, as whispers within political circles are growing louder that the BJP wants him to vacate the chief minister’s chair for a leader from the saffron party.
The conspiracy theory that “the BJP has been trying to politically finish Nitish Kumar” began circulating soon after the allocation of portfolios among the ministers. For the first time in Bihar, the Home Ministry is not with the Chief Minister. Nitish Kumar handed over the crucial Home Department to BJP leader and Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary. The BJP also took control of the post of the Assembly Speaker.
Nitish Kumar has continued to remain the dominant political figure in Bihar. Despite the other side having comparatively less political stature, he has so far managed to retain the top post with dignity and largely on his own terms. Losing control over the crucial Home Ministry is contrary to Nitish Kumar’s political functioning. In such a scenario, Nitish would prefer others to handle all the work, but the decisions should be in line with his wishes. This arrangement, however, leaves room for doubt and uncertainty.
Nitish Kumar has repeatedly said that he will not repeat the mistake of aligning with the RJD, a decision that he has made twice in the past. Despite his repeated assertion skepticism persists, because of Nitish Kumar’s reputation for political flip-flops and the arithmetic of 85 (JD-U)+ 35 (INDIA bloc)+ 5 (AIMIM)+1 (BSP) = 126 in the 243-member Assembly.
By demanding the Home Ministry and the Speaker’s post, the BJP appears to have made a concerted effort to firmly corner Nitish Kumar this time.
Speculation has also been rife that the BJP has been trying to engineer defection among the JD (U) MPs to improve its numbers in the Lok Sabha to ensure stability of its government at the Centre.
In this backdrop, 2026 is likely to prove to be a tumultuous year for Nitish Kumar.