The winds of change are blowing through Bihar, and they’ve picked up pace well ahead of the 2025 Assembly Elections. Central Home Minister Amit Shah’s recent interview has lit a fire in the political landscape with his cryptic yet calculated statement — “Time will tell who will be Bihar’s next Chief Minister.”
This single sentence has not only thrown the NDA alliance into turmoil but has also shaken the confidence of long-standing ally Janata Dal (United), which has always projected Nitish Kumar as the face of governance in Bihar.
1 Comment, 3 Parties, and Countless Speculations
Amit Shah did clarify that the upcoming elections will be fought under Nitish Kumar’s leadership, yet the ambiguity in “who will be CM” has been interpreted by political analysts as strategic vagueness. Is the BJP preparing to change the leadership after securing power? Or is this just a political tactic to keep allies in check while keeping doors open?
The JDU’s reaction has been telling. Party spokesperson Khalid Anwar dismissed the speculation, stating, “We don’t care who says what, Nitish Kumar remains our CM face.” But when pressed further about a formal confirmation from PM Modi, he chose silence — a silence that raised more questions than it answered.
Amit Shah said in a recent interview that CM name for Bihar has not been finalised and only time will decide it. Nitish Kumar needs to do serious introspection.
— Shantanu (@shaandelhite) June 20, 2025
What a fall for, In INDIA he would have been PM most probably but now even his party will get broken.. pic.twitter.com/TSo9kyZZQr
JDU’s Mixed Response Raises Eyebrows
While JDU leaders insisted that “the public will decide who will be CM,” they also confirmed that the party stands firm on Nitish Kumar as their sole choice. Spokesperson Abhishek Jha announced that a written response would soon clarify their position, hinting at the seriousness of Shah’s statement.
But the very need to prepare an official response to a statement from their own ally shows how fragile the alliance has become.
RJD’s Blunt Reaction: “Nitish is Expired Medicine”
Adding fuel to the fire, RJD leader Ranvijay Sahu launched a fierce counterattack. He labeled Nitish Kumar as “expired medicine” and accused the BJP of setting a trap to ditch him post-election. According to RJD, the JDU is heading toward political extinction, and Bihar deserves new leadership that can actually deliver.
Sahu’s statement captured the sentiment of a rising opposition that sees the NDA’s internal confusion as a chance to regain lost ground.
A Test of Trust in the 2025 Elections
With Amit Shah’s strategic ambiguity, BJP appears to be playing a long game — keeping Nitish close while assessing public sentiment for a possible leadership shift. But this maneuver comes at a cost. Confusion over leadership could shake public trust, impact voting behavior, and expose the fragile trust within the NDA alliance.
The 2025 Bihar Assembly Elections will now be more than just a contest of numbers. It will be a battle for credibility, leadership, and most importantly, public confidence.
Top 5 FAQs
1. What did Amit Shah say about Bihar’s next CM?
Amit Shah said the elections would be fought under Nitish Kumar’s leadership but added that “time will tell who the next CM will be,” sparking controversy.
2. How did JDU respond to the statement?
JDU leaders insisted Nitish Kumar is their CM face but seemed rattled and are preparing an official response.
3. What is RJD’s stance?
RJD accused BJP of using Nitish Kumar temporarily and labeled him an “expired medicine” who would be abandoned post-elections.
4. Is the NDA alliance in danger?
The alliance shows signs of strain, especially over leadership clarity. However, there has been no formal breakup yet.
5. Could BJP replace Nitish as CM if they win?
It’s possible. Analysts see Amit Shah’s statement as a sign that BJP is keeping options open for a post-election change.