He presented himself as the crusader against corruption having the vision to create a new India. During his initial years he was a diehard hater of Narendra Modi as he perceived him as the only person who can foil his mission. He wanted to be a national leader representing the voice of the secular voices, but his affinity and like for the saffron brigade spoilt his game. One thing is nevertheless quite clear that he was during those years, involved in most dangerous game of smooching the snake and the rat at the same time.

In fact he had managed to convince the Congress and other secular and left parties and forces about his invincibility. He was even entrusted with the responsibility of coordinating and convening the actions of the forces opposed to BJP. But he failed to come upto the expectations of the secular forces. They refused to put their trust in him.

While Nitish was with the secular forces, he put up his party candidates against the Samajwadi party in Uttar Pradesh in 2017 assembly election. His action was severely criticized by the anti-BJP leaders as it was seen providing help to the BJP. After this incident Rahul Gandhi had accused him of betraying the secular forces. Rahul Gandhi who was vice president of the Congress at that time had slammed Nitish Kumar for the first time for joining hands with the BJP once again dumping the 20-month-old grand alliance with Lalu Yadav's RJD and the Congress.

Rahul Gandhi said "Nitish Kumar has betrayed us. He met me a few days ago but didn't disclose anything. We knew that he has been planning something with the BJP for the last few months. People of Bihar gave mandate Nitish ji for the anti-communal fight but now he has joined hands with them for his personal politics. This is the problem with country's politics".

His career of twist and turns is amazing. He became the Chief Minister of Bihar with the BJP’s support. In 2013 he broke his alliance with the BJP. In 2017 he abandoned his dreams of a Mahagathbandhan and done another Ghar Wapsi, back to the BJP fold. He left the grand alliance only after he realized that the GA leaders do not like him anymore. He realized that his getting the opportunity to become the prime minister was out of question. Watching Kumar’s body language, both his desperation and his opportunism are obvious. One thing is also became clear, he hates being left out of power or history.

A couple of days back JD(U) MLC Gulam Rasool Baliyavi said NDA was getting votes in the state due to the work of Nitish Kumar and not for Narendra Modi’s face. He even went upto asserting that the NDA will not be able to get majority after May 23 and if it wants to form the government, it must project Nitish Kumar as the prime ministerial candidate.

These words coming from Baliyavi, a prominent Muslim face in the party and a close aide of Kumar, bears quite importance. Little doubt it manifests the desire of Nitish. The statement has once again reignited the discussion around pitching Kumar as the PM face.

At least on three occasions in the past Kumar was projected as the candidate for the prime ministership. But unfortunately every time he missed the bus. This time he is quite serious. His supporters even justify their arguments with the numerical figures. The NDA ally is sure of it not getting majority. IN that case the party may project some other BJP leader as the possible claimant to the office. In that event the JD(U) would stake its claim for the coveted office.

It is worth mentioning that Nitish has already in the past described him as divisive element. Though during campaigning for the 2019 lok sabha elections Nitish has been singing eulogy for him and projecting him publicly as the only person who can rule India, this statement from Baliyavi raises certain apprehensions about his intentions.

It is a fact of late Kumar has been sending out signals that he is unhappy with the BJP, his ally in Bihar. Nevertheless his messages are finding no takers with Tejaswai Yadav treating him as his prime enemy. The Congress chief Rahul Gandhi is also not in the mood to give a patience hearing to him. Once bitten twice shy he is not willing to respond. (IPA Service)