In a recent rally in Purnea, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar reassured Prime Minister Narendra Modi of his unwavering commitment to the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). This declaration comes ahead of upcoming assembly polls. Kumar expressed his commitment to remaining with the NDA "forever".

Kumar also voiced his regret regarding his past alliances with the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and the Indian National Congress. He stated that these partnerships were uncomfortable due to the disruptive behavior of his then coalition partners. Kumar recalled the first Janata Dal (United) (JD(U))–Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Bihar in 2005, highlighting his long association with the NDA.

This isn't the first time Kumar has publicly affirmed his commitment to the NDA. In March 2024, he assured Modi that he would remain with the alliance forever. He also expressed confidence that the NDA would secure more than 400 seats in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.

Nitish Kumar's repeated declarations of allegiance to the NDA are seen as an attempt to solidify his position within the alliance and dispel any doubts about his loyalty. He has been trying hard to shed his "Paltu Ram" image and prove his unwavering commitment to the BJP-led NDA. Having switched alliances multiple times in the past, including twice with the BJP, Kumar is keen to demonstrate his steadfastness this time around.

Political analysts suggest that Kumar's reaffirmation is crucial, especially given speculations about the BJP potentially wanting to lead the government as the senior partner in Bihar. There have been intense speculations on whether the BJP will formally declare him the chief minister face ahead of polls.

Despite these uncertainties, Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary has affirmed that Nitish Kumar will remain the NDA's chief ministerial face for the upcoming elections. Choudhary dismissed any speculation that the BJP might promote a new candidate for the position after the elections. He stated that the BJP was comfortable with Nitish Kumar, who has been leading the NDA since 1996.

Meanwhile, Rajnath Singh, a senior BJP leader and Defence Minister, has also backed Nitish Kumar as the NDA's CM face for Bihar. Singh lauded Kumar's leadership and highlighted the NDA's commitment to the state's development. He also criticized the opposition for lawlessness and poor governance, emphasizing that Bihar is safe under Kumar's leadership.

Nitish Kumar's frequent shifts in political alliances have earned him the moniker "Paltu Ram". He first dumped the BJP in 2014 ahead of the Lok Sabha elections and again in 2022, accusing the BJP of trying to break his JD(U). During his second stint with the opposition, Kumar played a key role in forming the INDIA bloc to challenge the BJP. However, he has since returned to the NDA.