Bihar’s political theatre has long been known for its abrupt turns, yet certain episodes leave a deeper imprint than others. As Nitish Kumar readies himself to assume the Chief Minister’s office for a historic tenth term, political observers are revisiting a crucial chapter from 2005, an episode that not only reshaped his career but also altered the trajectory of the state’s politics.

Two decades ago, Nitish’s leadership within his own party was far from universally accepted. The 2005 Bihar Assembly elections, held in February that year, had delivered a fractured mandate, plunging the state into instability. With no clear majority in sight, Bihar was pushed toward a fresh election in October. The NDA sensed that its prospects depended on projecting a single, credible leader. Nitish Kumar

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