Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar assured Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday that he would “never again” part ways with the BJP, referencing his previous separations as “mistakes.”

This came during an event in Patna, where both leaders announced various projects benefiting both the Centre and the State amid an impending Assembly election season.

As the political landscape in Bihar intensifies with elections just months away, Kumar’s comments reflect a renewed commitment to the ruling coalition.

Shah, who has been instrumental in the BJP’s strategy nationwide, had addressed party workers late Saturday night. He reportedly emphasized that “our victory in Bihar will resonate far and wide,” underscoring the significance of Bihar to the BJP’s broader electoral ambitions.

Shah’s visit, anticipated to conclude with a strategic discussion at Kumar’s residence involving other National Democratic Alliance (NDA) partners, showcased his rapport with the Chief Minister.

During the event held in Patna, Kumar appeared enthusiastic, mentioning the large turnout: “This grand auditorium is filled beyond capacity.”

The gathering also highlighted the robust presence of BJP supporters, as chants of “Jai Shri Ram” filled the hall. Despite the religious undertones, Kumar maintained his commitment to his secular image, stating, “What did the previous government [RJD-Congress alliance] achieve? They secured Muslim votes but failed to prevent communal riots.”

Moreover, Kumar criticized the state of affairs prior to the JD(U)-BJP regime, asserting that Bihar lacked quality healthcare and educational facilities. He reminisced about his ascent to power in November 2005, attributing improved conditions to the JD(U)-BJP partnership.

Kumar’s political journey with the BJP has seen tumultuous shifts; he first parted ways with the party in 2014 but realigned in 2017. After another separation in 2022, he sought to unify regional parties against the BJP under the newly formed INDIA coalition. However, as the Lok Sabha elections approached last year, he made a surprising return to the NDA.

In his address, Kumar attributed his past split decisions to “some individuals within my party” and firmly declared his resolve, stating, “I made a mistake twice, but that will not happen again.” This statement aligns with his aim to solidify the JD(U)’s role within the NDA as the political stakes rise in Bihar.

On Saturday, J.P. Nadda, president of the BJP and Union Health Minister, emphasized the role of the Nitish Kumar-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government in Bihar, along with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Central government, in guiding the state out of what he termed the “darkness” of the “jungle raj” associated with former Chief Minister Lalu Prasad.

Speaking at a Bihar Divas event organized by the Delhi BJP’s Purvanchal Morcha, Nadda praised Bihar for its unique “aura and dynamism,” noting that the state has historically contributed to democracy and produced esteemed educational institutions like Nalanda and Vikramshila.

He highlighted the continued academic achievements of Bihar’s students and professors at institutions such as Delhi University, reinforcing the state’s legacy of educational excellence.

Reflecting on Bihar’s past, Nadda pointed out that during the 1970s, the state was on an upward trajectory but experienced decline during Lalu Prasad’s governance in the 1990s, which he referred to as “doobta Bihara.”

He expressed that safety in Patna had significantly deteriorated, mentioning incidents of forced vehicle removals from dealerships for weddings and the exodus of healthcare professionals from the state. He also took a jab at RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, who claimed the absence of “jungle raj,” arguing that such opinions lacked historical context from those who weren’t alive during that period.

Nadda commended the efforts of the Delhi BJP and the Purvanchal Morcha in securing a recent assembly election victory and urged them to extend their campaigning efforts to Bihar ahead of the upcoming state elections.

Celebrating the progress achieved under the NDA and Modi government, Nadda shared that Bihar’s rural road network has expanded from just 384 kilometers in 2005 to over 112,000 kilometers today.

He also mentioned the establishment of prestigious institutions in Bihar, including the Indian Institute of Technology and the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, announcing that Patna Medical College is set to become the largest hospital in Asia.

Former UP Shia Waqf Board chief Jitendra Narayan Tyagi (formerly Wasim Rizvi) has approached the Supreme Court seeking the clubbing of multiple criminal cases filed against him in Uttarakhand and Jammu & Kashmir for alleged hate speeches and derogatory remarks against Islam and the Muslim community.

The Supreme Court bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta on Friday issued notices to the governments of Uttarakhand and the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir, asking for a reply within four weeks.

Tyagi, who is facing at least four separate cases, including FIRs and private complaints, has requested that all proceedings be consolidated at a single location, citing grave security threats if he is forced to travel, especially to Jammu & Kashmir. In his plea, he stated that he has only two security guards despite “serious life threats” and that “appearing before the courts in J&K could be fatal.”

During the hearing, Tyagi’s lawyer Anurag Kishore sought interim protection from the court, citing life threats. However, the bench declined the request, remarking that “threats exist everywhere.”

Initially hesitant, the court agreed to examine the plea and issue formal notices to the respective state authorities.

Background of the cases

Tyagi is currently facing multiple criminal proceedings:

An FIR in Haridwar for allegedly making defamatory remarks about Prophet Muhammad during the release of his book Muhammad in June 2021.

A private complaint in Srinagar, J&K, over alleged insulting remarks against Islam made in a July 2021 TV broadcast from Lucknow.

An FIR in Haridwar from December 2021 for statements made at the Dharma Sansad, a religious event.

A third FIR in January 2022 also in Uttarakhand, based on similar allegations.

Tyagi, who converted from Islam to Hinduism, has been a controversial figure and has previously made inflammatory remarks, triggering legal and public backlash.

His legal team, comprising Anurag Kishore, Lakhan Kumar Mishra, and Ritika Shrivastava, argued that the multiplicity of cases and summons across different states poses not only a logistical burden but also a serious threat to his safety.