Before leaving for Delhi, Nitish had given the impression that he would not accept any offer to share power which undermined the authority and stature of the party. But now, post government formation, it has become absolutely explicit that Modi treated Nitish and Bihar with utter contempt. Bihar had always held important portfolios. This is the first time it has been given inconsequential ministries. Bihar has been given 8 ministerial berths. Three Cabinet positions and five Ministers of State. Of these two are from the JD(U) and both are junior ministers.

This ill-treatment to Nitish is hurting party leaders who know that but for Chandrababu Naidu and Nitish Kumar extending support Modi wouldn't have become Prime Minister. If Nitish Kumar and Chandrababu Naidu had opted to go along with the INDIA bloc, they would have gotten greater respect and a bigger "say" in the government. At one stage, the BJP had even given the impression that Nitish Kumar would be Deputy Prime Minister, whatever happened to that fine notion?

Meanwhile, the issue of dissolution of Bihar assembly and holding elections had been making the rounds for a long time. Modi was giving the impression that he was considerate to this demand along with that of granting special category status to Bihar. But now both have been placed once again on the backburner. Senior JD(U) leaders are of the view that Modi would not advance the assembly elections as has been sought by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. Modi will use the intervening time to strengthen the BJP base in the state. Attempts are on to rejuvenate the state BJP by bringing in a dynamic and widely acceptable leader as the state party president.

Current president Samrat Choudhary has failed to reach out to the new support base and his aggressive posture towards some of the OBCs, like the Kurmis and Kushwahas, have severed their ties with the saffron party. In the just-concluded elections they voted for the RJD and there is a slim chance for them to return to the BJP before the assembly elections, slated to be held in 2025.

Nitish Kumar was banking on the JD(U) being given the Railways ministry but his hope was dashed and the ministry remained with the BJP and Modi's "blue-eyed boy" Ashwini Vaishnaw. Modi’s decision was, JD(U) leaders strongly believe, must have been taken keeping in mind the "Adani factor". Prime Minister Narendra Modi wants to hand over a bigger share of the railways operation, and railway property, to Adani. In this backdrop he cannot take the risk of Nitish Kumar throwing a spoke in Adani's affairs.

Modi’s portfolio allocation in the newly formed Union government gives the impression that nothing has changed, except for ‘Modi government’ becoming ‘NDA government’. Modi's "rough treatment" meted out to NDA allies has caught the eyes of political leaders and analysts. It is being said that JD(U) leaders have been handed out "passenger" ministries; even some senior BJP leaders have started saying that allies do not count for much in the Modi scheme of things. The only high-profile ministry given to an ally is the Civil Aviation portfolio to TDP’s Ram Mohan Naidu. Now, JD(U) leaders are sceptical of Modi's intentions. It is widely apprehended that Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah have plans to engineer a split in the JD(U). BJP leaders confide that Modi is planning to launch Operation Lotus in Bihar.

Incidentally, both Naidu and Nitish have been victims of Modi's manoeuvrings in the past, too. In June 2019, the BJP took away four of the six TDP MPs in the Rajya Sabha after Naidu parted ways. Modi also won over the JD(U)'s R C P Sinha and inducted him as a minister in his cabinet despite Nitish Kumar's clear warning not to indulge in such practices. Finally, the JD(U) had left the NDA. Therefore, it is shocking to see Naidu and Nitish now acting like spineless characters. They ought to explain to their voters why they are scared of Modi? Are they being blackmailed? The JD(U) leaders are not ready to drown along with Nitish. Why cannot Nitish confront Modi? Is Nitish banking on Modi to become Chief Minister in 2025? Nitish Kumar bending to touch the feet of Modi was the pits.

Disenchanted JD(U) leaders believe that Modi would want "his own man" Chief Minister and Nitish Kumar will be used and then thrown out. They are of the view that Modi hates Nitish Kumar but is not betraying his real feelings for Nitish Kumar for obvious coalition reasons. Nitish Kumar’s supporters claim that Nitish had everything under control. The JD(U) leaders say it wouldn't be a surprise if Modi dumps Nitish in the near future. They themselves are contemplating departure from the JD(U) if the situation deteriorates. (IPA Service)