'Paltu Ram' is at it again? How Nitish Kumar navigated his long political career with repeated 'U-turns'

On March 3, 2000, Nitish Kumar took oath as the Chief Minister of Bihar for the first time after campaigning vociferously against Lalu Prasad Yadav's "Jungle-Raj." From 2000 to 2022, Kumar became Bihar's CM on eight occasions, and during his last oath-taking ceremony, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav, son of Lalu Yadav, also took the oath as the Deputy Chief Minister.

Once known as one of the most promising leaders of not only Bihar but of India, many called him "Sushasan Babu"—a good governance man. But Nitish has switched his political loyality on so many occasions that many now call him "Paltu Kumar"—someone who switches sides according to the situation. Once again, speculations are rife that Nitish Kumar is all set to switch sides and dump Lalu Yadav ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

Let's take a look at some of Nitish Kumar's big turnarounds:


Two years after founding the Samata Party alongside George Fernandes in 1996, Nitish switched loyalties to the BJP and was made minister in the Atal Bihar Vajpayee-led NDA government.

In 2003, years after Lalu Prasad Yadav formed the RJD after his split with Sharad Yadav, Nitish Kumar decided to merge his Samata Party with the Janata Dal. The new alliance was named Janata Dal (United).

In 2013, he broke ranks with the NDA after a 17-year alliance following the announcement of Narendra Modi as the BJP's prime ministerial candidate. Kumar, who harboured prime ministerial ambitions himself, took offence to the BJP nominating Modi for the top post.

In 2017, Kumar forged a grand alliance with the RJD and Congress and returned as chief minister in 2015. He walked out of the grand alliance in 2017, accusing the RJD of corruption and choking governance in the state.

In 2022, Nitish Kumar snapped ties with the BJP once again, alleging the BJP was conspiring against him and trying to influence JD-U MLAs to rebel against him.