Look Back: Nitish Kumar Resigns as Bihar CM, Ends Mahagathbandhan Era

By A Staff Reporter : 

As the year unfolded, one of the most pivotal political events in Bihar's recent history took place when Chief Minister Nitish Kumar resigned, effectively dismantling the Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance) government. The resignation marked a significant shift in Bihar’s political landscape and set the stage for a BJP-led administration.

Nitish Kumar, the leader of Janata Dal (United) [JD(U)], cited irreconcilable differences with the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) as the primary reason for his decision. “Relations with the RJD were strained to the point of no return, leaving me with no choice but to resign,” Kumar announced during a press briefing at Raj Bhavan. His decision came shortly after a JD(U) legislature party meeting, where the rift with the RJD was reportedly a central topic.

Accompanied by senior JD(U) leaders Sanjay Jha and Bijendra Yadav, Kumar submitted his resignation to Governor Vishwanath Arlekar. The Mahagathbandhan government, an alliance that once symbolized unity among opposition parties, disintegrated amid rising tensions and conflicting priorities.

The aftermath of Kumar’s resignation saw the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) swiftly stepping in to form a new government. Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha were announced as Deputy Chief Ministers under the BJP’s leadership. The transition was accompanied by celebrations at the BJP headquarters in Patna, where party workers chanted slogans and hailed the development as the beginning of a new era.

Reflecting on the Mahagathbandhan’s collapse, Union Minister Giriraj Singh remarked, “This is freedom from jungle raj. Bihar deserves better governance, and we are ready to deliver it.”

The event became a defining moment of 2024, reshaping Bihar’s political alliances and governance trajectory. Political analysts have since pointed to this event as a critical juncture, not only for the state but also for national politics as the BJP solidified its presence in one of India’s key political battlegrounds.