But selection of the cabinet ministers and particularly installation of Tejashwi Yadav, the younger son of Lalu, has questioned the efficacy of the entire exercise. Suddenly the people, even the diehard supporters and admirers of Nitish have turned skeptical. From the day Mahagathbandhan was floated, the political and social circles were apprehensive of Lalu’s interferences, but nursed the feeling that he would give some time to Nitish to settle down, evolve the mechanism to face the political, social and economic challenges and make social justice cohesive.

Swearing in of Nitish Kumar and is cabinet colleagues proved to be a dampener for these people. The prediction of those who claim to have their fingers on the pulse of Bihar politics have come true that Lalu would pressure Nitish to coronet his younger son Tejashwi with the deputy chief minister. In fact just after final results were announced words were going around in the political circle that Lalu would like his younger son to be the deputy chief minister whereas Rabri wanted the elder one Tejpratap to be the number two in the Nitish cabinet. Making a debut in politics he has been given charge of three important Ministries. At one point it was also rumoured that their daughter Misa would be consensus candidate for the deputy chief minister. Lalu’s close aides however confide that this move ultimately dropped at the opposition from the senior RJD leaders.

Nitish is the leader of the Mahagathbandhan, but it is irony that he does not have ministers of his choice. Nitish had to drop a number of his close aides. At least seven prominent faces, Shyam Rzak, P K Shahi, Narendra Narayan Yadav, Vijay Choudhary, Ranju Geeta, Lesie Singh and Bima Bharati were dropped. Earlier Razak was the close confidant of Lalu and he was his one of the trusted ministers. But after shifting his loyalty to Nitish he had critic of Lalu. He had to pay for his sin.

Nevertheless the new team of ministers certainly cannot be described as the dream team which balances demands and side effects of growth with promises of inclusive growth of millions of rural poor. It appears to be a smart mix of youth and experience. With pressures of coalition politics no longer there, one can expect that Nitish’s team will devote to the work instead of appearing like a chariot pulled by horses running in different directions

With Lalu’s men getting hold of the key portfolios there is no denying the fact that Nitish will find going tough. Surprisingly the cabinet formation did not pose much challenge, as Lalu preferred to play the role of real big brother. At the swearing in function he literally performed the role of the family head. He was busy receiving the guest and making them comfortable.

Undeniably, Nitish-Lalu chemistry will be decisive for the success of the new government. In fact realizing this truth Lalu for the present has been maintaining restraint and treading cautiously. At the time when Nitish took over the reign of the state from Jitan Ram Manjhi, the RJD chief had objected to the induction of Lalan Singh and P K Shahi in the cabinet. While Lalan was the petitioner in the fodder scam Shahi was his lawyer. But Nitish inducted them in the cabinet even in the face of opposition from Lalu. At the time of projection of Nitish as the leader of the alliance Lalu had commented that he was gulping poison for the benefit of the secular forces.

The swearing-in ceremony of Bihar chief minister-designate Nitish Kumar was purely a mega show of strength for anti Modi and anti BJP forces, with as many as 35 prominent leaders from across India watching his coronation. It would be too early to predict that the congregation of the leaders in future would take a conventional secular-vs-communal trajectory, but one thing is sure that would emerge as the anti-Modi forum. A look at the guest list would provide an insight into Nitish’s action. Out of the nine chief ministers a majority were from the Congress-ruled states, showing Rahul Gandhi’s backing for Nitish. Rahul’s averseness to Lalu is well known. It is an open secret that Mahagsathbandhan could be formed only after Rahul consented to it.

Analysts say the new government intends to work on the basic premise that a resurgent Bihar under Nitish will have to get right its relations with other states. It was the first time that a galaxy of leaders across India was invited to the oath-taking ceremony of Nitish Kumar adding its own brand of uniqueness to the event.

Almost all the guests were pleasantly surprised by this gesture from Nitish. It augurs well for the anti Modi forces. The strong mandate that the Mahagathbandhan government has received; these leaders nurse the view that Nitish will take bold initiatives to forge closer relations amongst them.

These leaders pointed out that the Congress did not initiate in the positive manner to bring the anti-BJP forces closer to each other, least to speak of forging a forum. On some occasions they tried to forge a unity but this could take a concrete shape. Interestingly some of the leaders present were not in favour of associating with Mulayam Singh Yadav. They are highly critical of his for ensuring the defeat of Mahagathbandhan by floating his third front. In fact the left leaders are viewed with skepticism. A feeling grips them that some good initiatives taken or announced were left undone.

For the moment, only two things can be said with a degree of certainty: with the results of the Bihar polls robbing Prime Minister Narendra Modi of his air of invincibility, the Opposition parties have also learnt the merits of the index of Opposition unity that played a key role in the Mahagathbandhan’s victory in Bihar.

This may not happen in Uttar Pradesh: as Mulayam Singh Yadav is not amenable to the idea of joining hands with Nitish. Ironically he sees Nitish as his adversary. This was the reason that he had quit Mahagathbandhan just ahead of the election and floated his own third front. Besides, Mayawati would never join a forum or front having Mulayam Singh as the member.

Kumar inviting these leaders is also aimed at projecting himself as the strong candidate for the job of prime minister. After their split, he is trying hard to be the nucleus of anti-BJP front if the number of invitations extended to rival parties is any indication. No doubt Nitish has his task clearly cut out. He would have to provide economic content to social democracy. Since dalits and Mahadalits, the Extremely Backward Castes, Other Backward Castes and women reposed their faith in him by voting for his coalition, he would have to ensure that their rights are not denied and the government is responsive to their aspirations and ambitions.

He had to strengthen and give a shape to the “Idea of Bihar”. To achieve this he will have to evolve a strong working relation with Lalu Yadav, which would undoubtedly be an arduous task. Lalu would not prefer to miss any single opportunity to show Nitish his right place. This is the only way through which Lalu can tighten his grip on the state administration and make it serve his interest. Little down interference in the day-to-day administration will create major problems for the government.

After the grand victory of Mahagathbandhan Lalu had indicated that while Kumar will concentrate on Bihar, he would unite the anti-Modi forces at the national level. It appears to be more soothing to the ears. But the reality would be something else. Lalu cannot allow Nitish a free run as he does not trust him. It was exigencies of survival that Lalu joined hands with Nitish but he is yet to forget that Lalu and his close aide Lalan Singh were instrumental in forcing him to political exile. Lalu will not provide Nitish having administrative acumen, clean image and popularity to become the pole of an alternative politics. This will eclipse Lalu. (IPA Service)