Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar Yadav speaks during Bihar assembly elections rally, in Samastipur.
| Photo Credit: ANI
Nitish Kumar, the longest-serving Chief Minister of Bihar, has a record of switching alliances- three times. Even after the continuous change in alliance between the BJP and the RJD, Mr. Kumar managed to win in all the elections since 2005 and became the Chief Minister seven times.
Mr. Kumar entered politics as a member of Janata Dal and was elected to the State Assembly as an MLA in 1985. As someone who lobbied for Lalu Prasad, Mr. Kumar got all the support for Mr. Prasad for the Chief Minister’s post in 1990. But in 1994, a group of 14 Janata Dal MPs revolted against Mr. Prasad, lining up behind socialist stalwart George Fernandes and naming the group Janata Dal (George). While Fernandes was the face of the group, Mr. Kumar was its creator. The group later renamed itself the Samata Party.
In 1996, Mr. Kumar switched his loyalties to the BJP. In 2000, he became the Chief Minister for the first time, but lasted only seven days. He became the Chief Minister again in 2005. In 2015, he again switched sides by joining the Mahagathbandhan and became the Chief Minister again. But the partnership didn’t last for a long time. He returned to NDA and again won the election in 2020 and became the Chief Minister again.
A look at the political career of Nitish Kumar through the years
1985: Nitish Kumar elected to the State Assembly
1989: Backs Lalu Prasad in bagging the chair of the Leader of the Opposition
1994: A group of 14 Janata Dal MPs revolted against Lalu Prasad, lining up behind socialist stalwart George Fernandes and naming the group Janata Dal (George). While Fernandes was the face of the group, Mr. Kumar was its creator. The group later renamed itself the Samata Party.
1996: Switches loyalty to the BJP
From 1998 to 2004: He served in the NDA government under A.B. Vajpayee in various capacities as the Railway, Surface Transport and Agriculture Minister
2000: He became the Chief Minister of Bihar for the first time, with support from the BJP-led NDA. Resigned after seven days after failing to prove majority in the Assembly
2003: The Samata Party officially merged with the Janata Dal (United)
2005: Mr. Kumar became Bihar Chief Minister with the BJP as the coalition partner
2010: NDA wins, and Mr. Kumar again became the Chief Minister
2013: Broke alliance with the BJP when it was clear that Narendra Modi was the BJP’s prime ministerial candidate
2015: Allies with Lalu Prasad and contests the Assembly election, forming a grand alliance (Mahagathbandhan) with the Congress. Becomes the CM
2017: Takes another U-turn, decides to ally with the BJP to form the government in the State. Takes oath as CM for the sixth time, this time with the BJP’s help.
2020: NDA secured a win in the election, but JD(U) was reduced to 43 seats. Mr. Kuman became the seventh CM.
Published – October 30, 2025 10:27 am IST
