IMPORTANT SIGN OF BIHAR’S POLITICS ENTERING A NEW DIRECTION: DEVANAND SINGH

IMPORTANT SIGN OF BIHAR’S POLITICS ENTERING A NEW DIRECTION: DEVANAND SINGH

29-NOV-ENG 11

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

ARA-----------------------------The nuances of power, equations, and departmental allocations in Bihar politics have always been considered long-term indicators, but this shift is being seen as one of the most significant turning points in the last two decades. The reason is clear: for the first time, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has not retained the Home Department. This is the department he held tightly for most of his tenure, as it is seen as the most effective instrument of governance, control, and administrative direction.

This time, the Home Department has been assigned to Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary. Power structure experts say this move is not just a departmental reshuffle, but also a profound signal of a shift in power dynamics. Now, the reins of law and order in Bihar are in the hands of a leader representing the largest party in the coalition. According to experts, this decision indicates that a new distribution of roles and influence has begun in Bihar politics.

It has long been believed that Bihar's entire law and order structure functions effectively under the Chief Minister's control. Whether it was the Grand Alliance, the NDA, or the political experiments that took place in between, Nitish Kumar always kept the Home Department at the center. Experts believe this was because in a state like Bihar, a large part of development depends on the stability of law and order, and therefore, the Chief Minister personally oversaw it.

But this time, the picture is completely different. When the portfolios were divided, the Home Department was given to Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary, and the JDU received the Finance and Commercial Tax departments in return. According to experts, this change is not just a trade-off between departments, but a reflection of growing political needs and pressures within the coalition. Nitish Kumar's party, the JDU, has far fewer seats than the BJP, yet he remains the Chief Minister. Therefore, giving the BJP an influential department as a balancing act was almost inevitable. But the question is: is the Home Department merely a sign of accommodation or a reflection of the shifting balance of power? According to experts and former top police officers, this change directly means that the Chief Minister will now have less power to intervene immediately. Previously, files reached the Chief Minister in two roles: one as Chief Minister and the other as Home Minister. This gave him direct knowledge and authority on all important matters. However, this has changed.

Now, files will go directly to the Home Minister. The Chief Minister will only reach him when a disagreement or dispute arises. According to experts, this means that the Chief Minister's interference in day-to-day law and order decisions will no longer be as effective as before. In Bihar, the police and magistrates have separate powers. This structure has existed for a long time, and several governments have attempted to change it, but this has been unsuccessful due to significant opposition. According to experts, the Home Department relies on a balance within the administrative structure rather than being under the control of a single political figure. Therefore, if political leadership changes, its working style and priorities directly impact this structure. According to experts, Nitish Kumar maintained a strong grip on law and order during his long tenure, working within this framework. Now, that same framework will be transformed by a new political leadership style. Whether this impact could be positive or create complications will only be assessed in the coming months.

Giving the Home portfolio to Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary is seen as part of the BJP's strategy to establish its decisive role in Bihar politics. According to experts, this portfolio truly tests a leader's administrative ability, crisis management, and political maturity. While some allegations against Samrat Chaudhary have previously sparked controversy, he has now become the face of the BJP in the state, and the party wants to establish him as a future leadership option. Therefore, the Home portfolio presents both an opportunity and a challenge for him.

According to experts, handling a complex and sensitive department like law and order requires a precise, calm, and balanced approach. If Samrat Chaudhary succeeds in this role, the BJP's political hold will be strengthened. However, if law and order is compromised, it could face political consequences. Many political analysts believe that this departmental division in Bihar indicates who holds the real power within the coalition. According to experts, by taking over almost all the powerful departments, the BJP has made it clear that it will maintain a firm grip on the direction of governance, regardless of who is the Chief Minister.

Some analysts also see this as a gradual decline in Nitish Kumar's influence. They argue that when the JDU gives up such important departments to retain the Chief Minister's post, it reflects the uncertainty of its political future. According to experts, it is also possible that this could prove to be Nitish Kumar's last term in power. If this happens, it could have a profound impact on the JDU's organizational structure. The BJP's growing power within the alliance and the JDU's limited role will further clarify the future political landscape.

The Finance Department has been given to a senior JDU leader. While the Finance Department is being touted as a symbol of political balance, it is crucial that the Finance Department is not as immediately influential at the administrative level as the Home Department. Experts note that the Finance Department is certainly influential, but its impact is long-term, whereas the Home Department's impact reaches the public daily, and law and order is a major factor in the success or failure of every government. Therefore, the BJP has retained the politically significant departments.

In the new cabinet, both the BJP and JDU have given positions to their long-time leaders in several departments. However, several former ministers have been removed, perhaps indicating that both parties are seeking to further enhance their respective image. Within the BJP, new faces have also been assigned key portfolios. This indicates that the party is seeking to bring a new generation to the forefront with the upcoming assembly elections in mind.

The removal of some established JDU leaders also indicates that the party is now moving towards internal restructuring, but the question arises: will the party be able to maintain organizational stability amid such rapid restructuring? The new departmental division has completely altered the balance of power within the coalition. According to experts, the strength of the coalition will depend on how law and order is maintained under the leadership of the Home Department and whether smooth coordination is maintained between the Chief Minister and the Home Minister.

If departmental tensions escalate, it will impact the entire governance structure and threaten the stability of the coalition. However, if both sides maintain smooth coordination, this model could also chart a new political course in the coming years. This departmental division in Bihar has significantly altered the power dynamics in two decades. Nitish Kumar's tenure will no longer be the same. The transfer of the Home Department to another leader represents more than just the transfer of a department, but a rewriting of power dynamics. According to experts, the coming months will reveal whether this change will stabilize law and order or create new challenges within the administrative structure. However, it is certain that Bihar's politics has now entered a new direction, shifting the centers of power, the position of leadership, and the definition of coalitions.