A seemingly simple comment by Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini has snowballed into a political storm in Bihar, sending the BJP leadership into damage control mode. During a public event in Gurgaon to commemorate social reformer Mahatma Jyotiba Phule’s birth anniversary, Saini expressed hope that BJP leader and Bihar Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary would “unfurl the flag of victory” in the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections. While perhaps meant as a gesture of party confidence, the remark triggered unexpected ripples across state lines.
Sharing the stage with several prominent NDA figures—including Uttar Pradesh Deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya, Rajya Sabha MPs Upendra Kushwaha and Kalpana Saini—Saini’s words were swiftly seized upon by the Opposition in Bihar. RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav jumped at the opportunity to highlight what he described as a “power struggle” within the BJP, urging JD(U) to seek clarity from its ally. He even likened Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s long tenure to an outdated vehicle in need of replacement, clearly aiming to sow doubts about the NDA’s unity.
Caught off guard, the BJP quickly tried to quell the controversy. Haryana BJP representatives downplayed the remark, asserting that Saini’s words merely reflected confidence in the alliance’s strength and not a challenge to the established leadership. “The NDA will decide its leader collectively,” said Sanjay Ahuja, Haryana BJP’s media coordinator, emphasizing that the focus remains on winning the elections, not on internal competition.
In Bihar, BJP leaders took a firm stand to reassure their allies and voters alike. Bihar BJP chief Dilip Jaiswal reiterated that Nitish Kumar would remain the face of the NDA going into the polls. His statement, made following directions from the party’s top brass, was clearly aimed at putting the matter to rest. Samrat Choudhary also distanced himself from the CM post speculation, affirming that Nitish Kumar is and will remain the alliance’s leader.
JD(U), though rattled, chose not to escalate the matter. Its state president, Umesh Kushwaha, reminded everyone that Union Home Minister Amit Shah had already publicly endorsed Nitish Kumar as the NDA’s Chief Ministerial candidate. “What anyone else says is just their personal view,” he said, signaling a desire to maintain unity within the alliance.
Yet, the episode underlines the delicate balance within coalition politics, where even well-meaning words can stir uncertainty. As Bihar gears up for a fiercely contested election, such moments serve as reminders of how fragile alliances can be and how quickly political dynamics can shift with a single statement.
