Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s strategic move to leave the grand alliance and join forces with the BJP has stirred criticism for his frequent changes in allegiance. However, a recent NDTV Prashnam survey suggests a significant shift in voter preferences, with 53% of nearly 4,000 respondents supporting the BJP-JDU alliance, compared to 23% for the Mahagathbandhan comprising the RJD and Congress.
In a scenario where JD(U) would have continued with the grand alliance, 35% would have favored Mahagathbandhan, while an equal percentage would have stayed aligned with the NDA in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
Nitish Kumar’s maneuver is expected to not only benefit the BJP in the Lok Sabha elections but also in the Assembly polls scheduled for 2025. Approximately 54% of respondents endorsed the BJP-JDU coalition for the state elections, while 27% leaned towards the RJD-Congress alliance. Conversely, 41% would have supported Mahagathbandhan with Nitish Kumar’s party as its part, while 38% would have voted for the NDA candidates.
Acceptance among NDA Supporters
– 73% of NDA voters affirmed their allegiance to the BJP-JDU alliance post-Kumar’s reversal, indicating widespread acceptance within the BJP’s voter base.
Despite Nitish Kumar’s shifting political stance, he continues to command support, with 36% and 46% of opposition alliance voters expressing willingness to back him in the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections, respectively. Moreover, 70% of respondents signaled support for the BJP-JDU alliance in 2025 following Kumar’s switch.
In response to the survey results, BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya highlighted the historical alliance between BJP and JDU, emphasizing its natural alignment.
