Sanjay K. Jha, working president of the Janata Dal (United), declared unequivocally on Saturday, September 20, 2025, that Nitish Kumar is the undisputed leader of Bihar’s ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and will continue as the state’s Chief Minister following the upcoming Assembly elections. Jha made these remarks during The Hindu Mind, a prominent conversation series featuring influential newsmakers.
This clear statement from Jha stands in stark contrast to the Opposition’s internal dynamics, where the Congress has yet to formally endorse RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, currently the Leader of Opposition in the Bihar Assembly, as the Mahagatbandhan’s Chief Ministerial candidate.
Despite the JD(U)’s recent decline in electoral performance—having not been the largest party in the Bihar Assembly since 2010 and securing only 43 seats in 2020, falling behind both the RJD and BJP—Mr. Jha addressed concerns head-on. He revealed that in 2020, after the JD(U) won fewer seats (43) compared to the BJP (71), Nitish Kumar had actually offered the Chief Minister’s position to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with the JD(U) willing to serve in the government.
However, the BJP deliberated before responding, eventually stating that the elections were contested under Nitish Kumar’s leadership, and therefore, he should remain Chief Minister, as Jha recounted.
No Room for Doubt
Addressing recent concerns stemming from JD(U) posters in Patna proclaiming ’25 Se 30, Phir Se Nitish’ (2025-2030, Nitish Again), Mr. Jha dismissed any notions of party anxiety regarding Mr. Kumar’s continued tenure as Chief Minister or completing his term. He emphatically stated, ‘There’s no anxiety. It’s a settled issue—Nitish Kumar is the face of the alliance and will be Chief Minister.’ Furthermore, he quashed all speculation about Mr. Kumar’s health, asserting, ‘He’s perfectly fine.’
Jha maintained that despite nearly two decades in power, the JD(U) and Nitish Kumar enjoy ‘pro-incumbency’ sentiment. ‘We will win hands down in this election,’ he confidently predicted.
When questioned about the recent caste survey data revealing that 34% of Bihar households earn ₹6,000 or less monthly, Mr. Jha explained that the initial seven to eight years of Mr. Kumar’s leadership were dedicated to addressing fundamental issues like infrastructure and electricity. He highlighted, ‘Even post-COVID, Bihar reported double-digit growth. Yes, we do need more investments. And things are changing in a big way,’ emphasizing the government’s efforts to curb outward migration from the state.
Amicable Seat-Sharing Expected
Currently, both the NDA and Mahagatbandhan are yet to finalize their seat-sharing arrangements for the Assembly’s 243 constituencies, with numerous contenders from each alliance. The JD(U) has publicly stated its intention to contest an equal number of seats as the BJP, aiming to maintain parity within their partnership. Mr. Jha expressed confidence, saying, ‘I don’t think there will be a problem. Did you hear any murmur during the 2024 polls? Seat division was done amicably then and will be settled before October amicably again.’
Jha also dismissed the ongoing special intensive revision (SIR) of Bihar’s electoral rolls as a trivial concern for the upcoming elections, asserting that no one in Bihar is actually complaining. He pointed out, ‘While electoral rolls are being revised in Bihar, protests are in Delhi. Have you seen voters in Bihar protesting about missing names? The Opposition has no ground support.’
Finally, the JD(U) leader stated that Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj party would pose no significant challenge to the ruling alliance. ‘It’s just empty chatter from Delhi. Bihar will see a bipolar election. Those who vote will either back us or the Opposition,’ he concluded.