By Amarnath Tewary
In a move viewed as a significant gesture of alliance solidarity ahead of the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections, posters featuring both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar were prominently displayed inside and outside the Janata Dal (United) party headquarters in Patna on Tuesday (July 1, 2025).
For what political observers call a 鈥渇irst in the coalition political history of Bihar鈥, the JD(U) headquarters at Beerchand Patel Path showcased colourful posters highlighting the achievements of the National Democratic Alliance government. The posters immediately stirred political interest and discussion across party lines in the State.
The inclusion of Prime Minister Modi鈥檚 image alongside that of Mr. Kumar in these posters is being viewed as an attempt to present both leaders as central figures in Bihar鈥檚 development narrative under the NDA.
Responding to the attention the posters received, JD(U) State president Umesh Kushwaha said, 鈥淲hat鈥檚 wrong in these posters? It shows unity of NDA coalition partners and it should be put up in all offices.鈥 When asked if BJP headquarters would reciprocate with similar posters, he said, 鈥淭hat is their discretion, not ours.鈥
JD(U) spokesperson and senior leader Neeraj Kumar added, 鈥淚f Nitish is there, there is peace; if Modi is there, there is confidence.鈥 He further said, 鈥淭he posters, whether about women鈥檚 safety, employment or industrialisation, reflect Nitish Kumar鈥檚 vision for a developed Bihar. This is about the strength of the NDA and the support of the Centre.鈥
While JD(U) leaders have indicated their intention to project Mr. Kumar as Chief Minister again should the NDA return to power, the issue remains ambiguous. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, during a recent statement, confirmed the alliance with Mr. Kumar but refrained from naming a Chief Ministerial candidate.
Reacting to the posters, Rashtriya Janata Dal spokesperson Mrityunjay Tiwari said, 鈥淭he posters, in fact, reflect how JD(U) has started surrendering to the BJP with the Assembly elections approaching.鈥
Political analysts have characterised the move as 鈥渟trategic鈥. Professor Nawal Kishore Choudhary, a political observer, noted, 鈥淭his is a deliberate move by JD(U) to showcase unity among the NDA partners. However, it is certainly unprecedented in Bihar politics to display posters of a different party鈥檚 leader at another party鈥檚 headquarters.鈥
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to address several rallies across different divisions in Bihar over the next two months. Since January, he has already made four visits to the State.
With the Assembly elections due in October-November, the State Election Office has commenced the Special Intensive Revision of the electoral rolls, a key preparatory step ahead of elections.