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Nitish Kumar’s JD(U) Crisis in Manipur: Realignment or Political Drama?

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Paromita Das

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 24th Jan.
A political storm erupted in Manipur when a viral letter by Janata Dal-United (JD(U)) Manipur Chief Ksh Biren Singh announced the withdrawal of support from the BJP-led state government. The announcement triggered a wave of reactions, with the opposition prematurely celebrating what they called a moral victory against the BJP. However, in a swift and calculated move, JD(U) central leadership, led by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, dismissed the claims, sacked the Manipur unit chief, and reaffirmed its allegiance to the BJP-led NDA coalition both in Manipur and at the Centre.

This episode highlights the deep cracks in JD(U)’s state units and the underlying challenges in maintaining political alliances in volatile environments like Manipur, where defections and shifting allegiances have become a norm.

The Viral Letter and Its Fallout

The crisis began when JD(U)’s Manipur Chief Ksh Biren Singh submitted a letter to Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla, announcing the withdrawal of the party’s support for Chief Minister N. Biren Singh’s BJP government. The letter cited dissatisfaction over the defection of five of JD(U)’s six elected MLAs to the BJP following the 2022 Manipur Assembly elections, leaving JD(U) with only one legislator in the state assembly.

 

While the letter claimed alignment with the opposition I.N.D.I.A. alliance, JD(U)’s central leadership was quick to intervene. JD(U) national spokesperson Rajeev Ranjan Prasad termed the letter “misleading and baseless,” clarifying that the decision was neither authorized by the party’s central leadership nor discussed internally. The party immediately removed Ksh Biren Singh from his position as state unit chief, citing indiscipline.

BJP-JD(U) Dynamics in Manipur

JD(U)’s decision to publicly disown its Manipur unit’s move underscores the party’s commitment to maintaining its alliance with the BJP in Manipur. This is significant because, despite the defection of five JD(U) MLAs to the BJP after the 2022 elections, the BJP already holds a commanding majority in the 60-member assembly. With 37 BJP legislators supported by five Naga People’s Front MLAs and three Independents, the BJP government in Manipur is not reliant on JD(U)’s lone MLA.

 

However, the political maneuvering by JD(U)’s Manipur unit also reveals the lingering tensions between the two parties at the state level. JD(U)’s central leadership, led by Nitish Kumar, has chosen pragmatism over conflict, signaling its priority to maintain its alliance with the BJP at the national level.

The Opposition’s Short-Lived Celebration

The letter initially sparked hope among opposition parties, particularly the Congress, which sought to frame it as a blow to BJP’s credibility. However, JD(U)’s quick dismissal of the letter and reaffirmation of its support for the BJP-led government in Manipur dashed those hopes. Congress leaders, who had begun projecting the letter as a shift in the political tides, were left scrambling for damage control after JD(U)’s clarification.

This episode highlights the challenges faced by the I.N.D.I.A. alliance in consolidating opposition forces against the BJP, especially when allies like JD(U) appear unwilling to fully align with the coalition’s broader strategy.

Nitish Kumar: A Master of Political Balancing

Nitish Kumar’s swift response to the Manipur controversy reflects his adeptness at political maneuvering, a skill that has helped him maintain relevance and power in Bihar and on the national stage. While his party opposed recent UGC rules introduced by the Modi government, Kumar ensured that JD(U) remained firmly aligned with the NDA in critical matters.

Critics, however, point to Kumar’s history of flip-flopping alliances, questioning the long-term reliability of JD(U)’s commitments. In Bihar, his shifting loyalties between BJP and opposition alliances over the years have created an air of unpredictability around his leadership. This unpredictability, while frustrating for political opponents, has also allowed him to navigate complex political landscapes and retain power.

The Bigger Picture

The Manipur episode is emblematic of the fragility of political alliances in India, particularly in regions like the Northeast, where party defections and shifting loyalties are frequent. While JD(U)’s central leadership acted decisively to quell speculation, the incident highlights deeper issues within the party’s state units and its struggle to maintain coherence in a politically fragmented environment.

For the BJP, this episode is a reminder of the challenges of coalition politics, even when commanding a majority. While the defection of JD(U) MLAs has strengthened BJP’s numbers in Manipur, the episode underscores the need to manage regional allies carefully to avoid unnecessary controversies.

For opposition parties, the incident serves as a lesson in the perils of premature celebration. The opposition’s inability to consolidate forces against the BJP highlights the complexities of forming a cohesive anti-BJP front, particularly when regional parties like JD(U) prioritize pragmatism over ideology.

Conclusion: A Storm Contained

The viral letter by JD(U)’s Manipur chief may have sparked a political storm, but the party’s central leadership swiftly contained the fallout, reaffirming its alliance with the BJP and putting an end to opposition speculation. Nitish Kumar’s quick action reflects his commitment to maintaining JD(U)’s relevance in national politics, even as his history of shifting allegiances raises questions about the party’s long-term strategy.

For the BJP, the episode is a minor blip in an otherwise stable political equation in Manipur. For the opposition, it underscores the need for more robust strategies to challenge BJP’s dominance, particularly in regions where defections and alliances can easily shift the balance of power.

As Manipur’s political landscape stabilizes for now, the incident serves as a reminder of the delicate dance of coalition politics in India, where alliances are often tested by regional ambitions and internal divisions.

 

The post Nitish Kumar’s JD(U) Crisis in Manipur: Realignment or Political Drama? appeared first on Global Governance News- Asia's First Bilingual News portal for Global News and Updates.





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