A look back at Nitish Kumar’s political tenure so far

Overall, Nitish Kumar's political tenure has been a mix of successes and challenges. He is a polarizing figure, but his long presence in Bihar's politics cannot be denied.

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Edited By: Sonia Dham
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Nitish Kumar's political tenure has been long and marked by several ups and downs, shifts in alliances, and significant achievements. Here's a summary:

Key Aspects:

Longest-serving Chief Minister of Bihar: Nitish Kumar has held the office of Chief Minister of Bihar for a total of eight terms, making him the longest-serving CM in the state's history.

Shifting Alliances: Nitish Kumar has been known for his pragmatic approach to politics, often forging alliances with various parties depending on the political landscape. He has been allied with both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) at different times.

Focus on Law and Order: Nitish Kumar's first term as Chief Minister is widely credited with bringing significant improvements in law and order in Bihar, which was infamous for ‘Jungle Raj’ under the previous RJD government.

Social Development Schemes: Nitish Kumar's government has implemented various social development schemes, including programs for women's empowerment, education, and infrastructure development.

Criticisms: Nitish Kumar has also faced criticism for his shifting alliances, slow economic growth in Bihar, and his handling of issues like unemployment and corruption.

Here's a brief breakdown of his various terms:

First Term (2000): Campaigned against Lalu Yadav's ‘Jungle Raj’, ushered in improved law and order in Bihar.
Second & Third Terms (2005-2010 & 2010-2014): Continued focus on development and law and order, alliance with the BJP.

Fourth & Fifth Terms (2015-2017 & 2017-2020): Grand alliance with the RJD, faced challenges due to corruption allegations.

Sixth & Seventh Terms (2020-2022): Re-allied with the BJP, faced criticism for slow economic growth.

Eighth Term (2022-Present): Back with the RJD, facing upcoming Lok Sabha elections in 2024.

Overall, Nitish Kumar's political tenure has been a mix of successes and challenges. He is a polarizing figure, but his long presence in Bihar's politics cannot be denied.