Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s decision to move to the Rajya Sabha could lead to an “ideological takeover” of state politics and a shift in political discourse, CPI(ML) Liberation General Secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya said on Sunday (March 8, 2026), terming it a “betrayal of the people of Bihar”.
According to sources, Mr. Bhattacharya claimed that the development reflected the growing dominance of the BJP over its ally Janata Dal (United) and could change the political landscape of Bihar.
“I think it will mean some kind of political takeover, not just a takeover but also a change in the discourse in Bihar and possibly in North India,” he said.
The Left leader called the development a “big shock” and said the way it unfolded seemed “very disrespectful” to Kumar.
“People knew that the BJP effectively controls the government now, but the way it is happening is a kind of disrespectful dumping of Nitish Kumar,” he said, adding that many voters may feel “cheated” as the alliance sought a mandate in Mr Kumar’s name.
Mr Kumar, the JD(U) chief, announced on Thursday (March 5, 2026) that he will contest the Rajya Sabha polls, bringing down his tenure as Bihar’s longest-serving Chief Minister. The move comes months after he led the NDA to a landslide victory in the Assembly elections held in November last year.
CPI(ML) Liberation is a member of the opposition Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance) in Bihar, which includes the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and the Congress.
Mr. Bhattacharya claimed that people felt it was some kind of coup engineered over time from within the JD(U) around Nitish Kumar, adding that the development could deepen unrest within the JD(U), with many in the party worried about its future.
“Inside the JD(U) they see that this is how the party is almost absorbed by the BJP. So this is a power play by the BJP and it will not go well,” he said.
According to him, although the JD(U) has been in alliance with the BJP for years, it has largely remained aligned with what he described as the “social justice camp”.
“Nitish Kumar has always said that he will not compromise with the communal forces. Now it will go and that will mean a complete ideological takeover of the JD(U) by the BJP,” he added.
Questioning the reason given for Mr. Kumar’s decision to move to the Rajya Sabha, he said it was hard to believe that it was a long-standing aspiration of the veteran leader.
“Going to the Rajya Sabha cannot be some kind of lifetime achievement award for someone who has been at the helm of affairs in Bihar for two decades,” Mr. Bhattacharya said.
“At one time he was considered a prime ministerial aspirant and now we are told that his desire was the Rajya Sabha. Nothing can be more fragile than this,” he added.
He further claimed that the move reflects the BJP’s effort to project its political dominance. “It shows the BJP’s language of power. They think they are enjoying total power and they can be blunt,” he said.
Asked if the development could help opposition parties, Mr. Bhattacharya said the political situation had become clearer. “The question is not whether it will help or not. That is the reality and the opposition and people will have to accept that,” he said.
He also claimed that the state government had started operating under what he described as “bulldozer rule”. “Demolitions have started, land acquisition is going on… Women have never felt as insecure as they do today in Bihar,” he claimed.
Mr. Bhattacharya said issues like unemployment, rural employment and social justice could spark a wider political mobilization in the state. “Bihar is very sensitive and alive to the social justice agenda. I see more agitation among people on these issues,” he said.
On the possibility of leadership change in the state, he said the transition may not be smooth, especially if the BJP tries to install its own chief minister.
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Published – March 8, 2026 8:13 PM IST
