Today in Politics: Bihar political configuration all set to change again, Bengal test for Rahul yatra

After days of intense speculation, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is all set to get back to the BJP, almost 18 months after he quit the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). This will strengthen the NDA ahead of the Lok Sabha elections while dealing a major blow to the INDIA grouping which loses the leader who initially brought it together.

According to PTI, a source close to Nitish was quoted as saying that the CM is likely to address a meeting of his party MLAs “around 10 am Sunday before going to Raj Bhavan to submit his resignation.” And the new government, with the BJP’s support, is expected by the evening. As reported earlier by Santosh Singh, two Deputy CMs are likely to be appointed  in the matter of the post-2020 Assembly election formulation. Whether Sushil Kumar Modi is again appointed Deputy CM will be among the developments to watch out for along with what the RJD says and does.

The Congress has said Kharge tried to contact Nitish twice or thrice but the two were unable to connect. Meanwhile, a section of Bihar Congress MLAs is unreachable and the party has rushed former Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel to Patna as a special observer.

Here is how the numbers will look when Nitish makes the move to the BJP and continues to keep his CM chair. The JD(U)’s 45 MLAs and the BJP’s 78, along with the support of one Independent legislator, will make up 124 MLAs. The RJD (79), Congress (19), and three Left parties together (16) have 114 MLAs, eight short of majority in a House of 243.

Recommended readings: Nitish Kumar moves closer to break-up, Tejashwi Yadav keeps JD(U) at arm’s length

Split fear and more, why Nitish Kumar dumped BJP in 2022 and why he is looking to return to NDA now

Bengal test for Rahul yatra

Con