In Bihar, Tejashwi’s Bhumihar move has caused political tremors within the NDA. RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav’s strategy of attracting Bhumihar leaders has unsettled BJP and JDU ranks. To counter it, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar reinstated Arun Kumar, a veteran Bhumihar leader from Jehanabad, into the JDU. Arun, once part of the Samata Party and RLSP, rejoined the party alongside his son Rituraj.
Arun’s return signals JDU’s effort to regain the Magadh region, where NDA lost ground in 2020. Earlier, Tejashwi inducted Rahul Sharma, son of veteran Bhumihar leader Jagdish Sharma, into the RJD. Both Arun and Jagdish have switched parties often, but this time, Nitish seems keen to strengthen his caste base before future elections.
Though Lallan Singh initially blocked Arun’s entry, changing political equations forced the JDU to welcome him. His induction marks Nitish’s renewed bid to restore NDA’s balance amid Tejashwi’s Bhumihar move.
