Shambhu Nath | Patna7 minutes ago
“The time has come to change the name of the JDU to Janata Dal (Nitish).” This was the statement made by JDU national working president Sanjay Jha at the Nitish Samvad programme in Khagaria.
Jha’s statement has now sparked several interpretations in political circles. The biggest question is whether, like the Congress (I), the JDU is now facing a growing threat of a split. Is there factionalism within the party? Is the move aimed at safeguarding Nitish Kumar’s political legacy?
Now, let us understand these questions in detail
What did two senior JDU leaders say?
Nitish Kumar established the party and it is moving forward under his leadership. Everyone has joined the party because of Nitish Kumar. There is no doubt that this proposal deserves to be passed unanimously. — Shravan Kumar, Leader of the Legislative Party
Changing the party’s name is Sanjay Jha’s personal wish, and that is a good thing. When the proposal comes before the party, it will take a decision. — Bijendra Yadav, Deputy Chief Minister
Is the JD(U) facing a split-like situation similar to the Congress?
It was 1978. Former Prime Minister and Congress leader Indira Gandhi had lost the Lok Sabha election after imposing the Emergency. Meanwhile, Sanjay Gandhi had emerged as a powerful figure within the party.
Several senior Congress leaders were unhappy with Indira Gandhi’s leadership. She subsequently formed a separate faction called Congress (I), with “I” standing for Indira Gandhi.
The other faction, led by Devaraj Urs, was known as Congress (U). Three years later, the Indira faction was recognised as the official Congress.
Is a similar situation developing within the JD(U)?
Several party leaders have directly rejected the possibility of a split on record. However, off the record, some admit that two separate groups of three leaders each are emerging as influential power centres within the party.
Sanjay Jha and Lalan Singh are both seeking to project themselves as powerful leaders. This has fuelled speculation about a possible split.
Senior journalist sees direct indication of a split
Senior journalist and The Hindu senior assistant editor Amarnath Tiwari said, “The direct implication of this statement is that the party is about to split.”
Is Nitish’s name being used to preserve his political legacy?
The JD(U) faces the challenge of carrying forward its political legacy, as there is currently no leader in the party with the same level of acceptance across Bihar as Nitish Kumar.
With Nitish now moving towards near-retirement from active politics, the question is how his political legacy will be carried forward after him. The proposal to include his name in the party’s identity is also being viewed in this context.
Who will carry the party forward after Nitish?
Senior assistant editor at The Indian Express Santosh Singh says, “The biggest challenge before the party is who or what factor will take it forward among the people for the next five years after Nitish.”
Is factionalism gaining the upper hand within the JD(U)?
- There is growing speculation in political circles that factionalism within the party has intensified since Nitish Kumar moved to the Rajya Sabha. One such discussion centres on the lack of coordination between Union Minister Lalan Singh and Sanjay Jha.
- Although party leaders deny this, the activities of the two leaders lend credence to the speculation.
- While Sanjay Jha has taken an aggressive stand on the Farakka Water Treaty issue and is holding meetings in different districts of Bihar, Lalan Singh has remained completely silent on the matter.
- He issues statements on floods but has maintained complete silence on this major JD(U) campaign. However, no controversy within the party has officially come to light.
On the question of a split in the JDU, Santosh Singh says, “This is completely baseless. There are no leaders within the JDU who have a substantial mass base.”
He added, “If the party were to split in any way, the other faction would fall flat on its face. Neither the party nor any of its leaders has yet been able to emerge from Nitish’s shadow.”
Other parties have also begun staking their claim to Nitish’s legacy
- To carry forward Nitish’s legacy, the party hastily launched his son, Nishant Kumar, into politics.
- Political experts say, “Nishant has been consistently active for the past six months. He is trying to do a better job as health minister.
- It will still take time for him to develop as a politician. It would be premature to say that he will carry forward Nitish’s legacy.”
- Meanwhile, Upendra Kushwaha, who was once Nitish Kumar’s colleague, is also staking a claim to Nitish’s legacy.
- At the Rashtriya Lok Morcha’s deliberation camp in Rajgir on 20 August, Kushwaha said, “Nitish Kumar has now taken a break from Bihar politics. After his departure, the biggest concern is who will carry forward his political legacy.
- Many people in Bihar will come forward to claim this legacy, but our party firmly believes that the people of Bihar strongly desire that this important responsibility be entrusted to the Rashtriya Lok Morcha.’
- After a sharp reaction from JDU leaders, Upendra Kushwaha issued a clarification on 23 August. He said, ‘Legacy does not mean merely the claim of one individual or political party; carrying forward a leader’s ideas and work is the true legacy.’
Now, let us look at the parties that split
NCP: In July 2023, Sharad Pawar’s NCP split. The Election Commission recognised the Ajit Pawar-led faction as the real NCP. Later, Sharad Pawar formed the NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) party.
Shiv Sena: The Shiv Sena split in 2022 under the leadership of Eknath Shinde. The Election Commission recognised the Eknath Shinde faction as the real ‘Shiv Sena’. The faction led by Uddhav Thackeray was named Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray), or Shiv Sena (UBT).
LJP: The party split in June 2021 under the leadership of Pashupati Kumar Paras following the death of Ram Vilas Paswan. The party divided into two factions. The Rashtriya Lok Janshakti Party was formed under Pashupati Paras’s leadership. Chirag Paswan formed the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas).
