Is Nitish Kumar Losing Bihar 2025? CM Race Reveals Shocking Truth

Why Is Nitish Kumar’s Popularity Declining Before Bihar Election 2025?

The winds of change are blowing across Bihar. Something big is happening. Nitish Kumar, the man who ruled Bihar for so many years, is losing his magic. People are talking about it everywhere – in tea shops, in villages, and on social media. The latest C-Voter survey has dropped a bombshell – Nitish Kumar is now only the third most popular choice for Chief Minister!

Just imagine this. The man who has been Bihar’s Chief Minister for most of the last 20 years, who was once called “Sushasan Babu” (Good Governance Man), is now watching his popularity slip away like sand through fingers. Only 15.4% of people want him back as CM. This is a huge fall from his glory days.

Why is this happening? Is it because he’s getting old? Is it because he has changed sides too many times? Or is it because new faces like Tejashwi Yadav and Prashant Kishor are offering something fresh? In this blog, we’ll look at the shocking decline of Nitish Kumar’s popularity, what it means for Bihar’s future, and the big question – will he still be CM after the 2025 election?

What Do Recent Surveys Reveal About Nitish Kumar’s Position in Bihar?

The latest C-Voter survey tells a clear story. Nitish Kumar is no longer Bihar’s first choice. The numbers don’t lie. Tejashwi Yadav of RJD leads with 35.5% support. Prashant Kishor of Jan Suraaj comes second with 17.2%. Nitish Kumar is third with just 15.4%. Even more shocking, his popularity has dropped from 18.4% in February to 15.4% in April – all in just two months!

This matters a lot for Bihar’s future. The state will vote in October-November 2025, just 5-6 months from now. Every vote will count. Every opinion will matter. And right now, the opinion seems to be turning against Nitish Kumar.

What makes this even more important is that 50% of people surveyed said they are angry with the current government and want change. Another 58% feel Nitish Kumar’s credibility has reduced a lot. These are not just numbers. These are voices of Bihar’s people saying they want something different.

What Are the Benefits of Understanding Nitish Kumar’s Declining Popularity?

Understanding Nitish Kumar’s declining popularity helps in many ways:

Better Voting Decisions: When you know why a leader is losing support, you can make smarter choices in the voting booth.
Predicting Political Shifts: By seeing these trends, you can guess what might happen next in Bihar politics.
Understanding Policy Changes: Leaders often make new policies when they feel they’re losing support. Knowing this helps you understand why certain decisions are being made.
Preparing for Change: If Nitish Kumar doesn’t return as CM, Bihar might see big changes. Being prepared helps everyone.

What Are the Main Reasons Behind Nitish Kumar’s Popularity Decline?

Is Nitish Kumar’s Health Affecting His Leadership?

Many people are worried about Nitish Kumar’s health. At 74 years old, he’s not as active as before. Prashant Kishor, once his close aide, now says Nitish is “physically tired and mentally retired.” He even claimed that Nitish can’t remember the names of his ministers without looking at a paper!

Some say Nitish appears less in public now. When he does appear, he sometimes looks tired or confused. This makes people wonder – can he lead Bihar for five more years? As one voter in Patna said, “We need a CM who has energy to work 16 hours a day. Bihar has many problems that need strong leadership.”

How Have Nitish Kumar’s Frequent Alliance Changes Hurt His Image?

Nitish Kumar has changed political sides many times. Too many times, some would say. In the last ten years alone, he has switched alliances five times! First with BJP, then with RJD, then back to BJP, then to Mahagathbandhan, and now again with BJP.

This has earned him nicknames like “paltu ram” (one who keeps turning). People are asking – if he changes sides so often, what does he really stand for? As C-Voter founder Yashwant Deshmukh noted, these “pendulum swings” have hurt his credibility and eroded his cross-party appeal.

Why Do Voters Feel a Lack of Strong Leadership from Nitish Kumar?

There’s a feeling that Nitish Kumar has lost his touch. The fire that once made him fight for Bihar’s development seems dimmer now. Some voters say he doesn’t connect with people like before. Others feel he’s become distant from common people’s problems.

The survey shows this clearly – 58% feel his credibility has reduced a lot. Only 21% see no reduction. This is a big problem for someone who wants to lead Bihar again.

Who Are the Rising Challengers to Nitish Kumar in Bihar?

Why Is Tejashwi Yadav Leading the CM Race?

Tejashwi Yadav, son of Lalu Prasad Yadav, is now the most preferred CM candidate with 35.5% support. He’s young, energetic, and connects well with Bihar’s youth. His promise of 10 lakh jobs struck a chord in a state where unemployment is the biggest concern (45% voters cited it as the main issue).

Though his popularity has dipped slightly from 40.6% in February to 35.5% in April, he still maintains a comfortable lead. The Congress party’s increasing assertiveness in Bihar and the fact that RJD has yet to launch a full-scale campaign might explain this small dip.

How Has Prashant Kishor Emerged as a Strong Contender?

Prashant Kishor’s rise is perhaps the most surprising element in Bihar’s political landscape. The political strategist-turned-politician has jumped to second place with 17.2% support, up from 14.9% in February.

His Jan Suraaj party is new but growing fast. Kishor has announced that his party will contest all 243 seats in the upcoming elections. He’s been very vocal about Nitish Kumar’s declining abilities, even challenging PM Modi and Amit Shah to declare Nitish as the CM candidate for a full five-year term.

Are BJP’s Samrat Chaudhary and LJP’s Chirag Paswan Gaining Ground?

Yes, they are. BJP’s Samrat Chaudhary now has 12.5% support, up from 8.2%. LJP’s Chirag Paswan has risen to 5.8% from 3.7%. Both are benefiting from the leadership void and growing visibility.

This is significant because it shows that even within the NDA (National Democratic Alliance), alternative leaders are emerging. This puts more pressure on Nitish Kumar and raises questions about whether the BJP might prefer a different face for the CM post.

What Is the NDA’s Stance on Nitish Kumar’s Leadership?

Has BJP Officially Declared Nitish Kumar as CM Candidate?

The situation is a bit confusing. While state BJP leaders like Nishant Kumar (Nitish’s son) and state BJP president Dilip Kumar Jaiswal have said that Nitish will be the CM face, there’s no clear statement from top BJP leaders like PM Modi or Amit Shah.

In fact, when Amit Shah visited Bihar, he said the elections will be fought under Nitish Kumar’s “leadership” – but didn’t specifically say he would be the CM for a full term if NDA wins. This careful wording has led to speculation.

Why Might BJP Be Hesitant to Fully Back Nitish Kumar?

There could be several reasons. First, Nitish’s declining popularity might worry BJP. They don’t want to lose seats because of him. Second, BJP has been growing stronger in Bihar and might want their own CM this time.

Prashant Kishor has even claimed that if BJP declares Nitish as CM candidate for a full five-year term, “the BJP will find it hard to win seats.” This suggests that BJP might be calculating whether Nitish is still an asset or has become a liability.

What Is JD(U)’s Position on Nitish Kumar’s Future?

JD(U), Nitish Kumar’s party, still firmly backs him as the CM face. They’ve been promoting the slogan “2025, phir se Nitish” (2025, Nitish again). Nishant Kumar, who has been speaking for his father lately, has confidently stated that Nitish will be CM again.

However, there are concerns about JD(U)’s future in a post-Nitish era. The party’s identity is closely tied to Nitish Kumar, and there’s no clear successor. This makes the 2025 election crucial for the party’s long-term survival.

How Can Voters Assess Nitish Kumar’s Leadership for Bihar 2025?

Step-by-Step Guide:

Look at Nitish Kumar’s work in the last 5 years, not just promises.
Compare his energy and vision now to when he first became CM.
Check if he has addressed the main issues like unemployment (45% voters’ concern).
Listen to his speeches and see if he still connects with people’s problems.
Consider if his experience outweighs concerns about his age and health.

Best Practices:

Don’t just vote based on old loyalty. Ask if he still deserves your vote.
Compare him with other candidates on specific issues, not just personality.
Think about what Bihar needs for the next 5 years – experience or new energy?

Common Pitfalls:

Don’t ignore health and age concerns just because you liked him before.
Don’t be swayed only by party loyalty if the leader is not performing.
Don’t assume things will improve without seeing concrete plans.

What Challenges Does Nitish Kumar Face in Regaining Popularity?

Challenge 1: Overcoming Health and Age Concerns

Many voters worry about Nitish Kumar’s health and age (74 years). They wonder if he has the energy to lead for 5 more years.
Solution: He needs to be more visible, energetic in public, and directly address health concerns.

Challenge 2: Rebuilding Trust After Frequent Alliance Changes

His multiple switches between alliances have damaged his credibility.
Solution: He must explain his decisions better and commit firmly to one path forward.

Challenge 3: Addressing Rising Unemployment

45% of voters cite unemployment as their main concern, but Nitish hasn’t offered a compelling solution.
Solution: He needs a clear, bold plan for job creation that can compete with Tejashwi’s promise of 10 lakh jobs.

What Are the Future Scenarios for Nitish Kumar After Bihar 2025?

Will Nitish Kumar Switch Sides Again After Elections?

Prashant Kishor has made a bold prediction: “Nitish Kumar may try switching sides after it becomes clear to him that the BJP was not going to back him for another term in office.” Given his history, this isn’t impossible.

However, Kishor also predicts that “the number of seats won by JD(U) would be so dismal that he would not get the top job, no matter which formation he joins.” This suggests that Nitish’s option to switch might not be as viable as before.

Could Nitish Kumar Accept a Reduced Role in Bihar Politics?

If JD(U) performs poorly but NDA wins, Nitish might have to accept a reduced role – perhaps as a senior minister or in a ceremonial position. This would be a significant change for someone who has been the dominant figure in Bihar politics.

Some speculate that he might be offered a role at the center instead, allowing BJP to install their own CM in Bihar while giving Nitish a dignified exit.

Is This Nitish Kumar’s Last Electoral Battle?

Many believe this is likely Nitish Kumar’s last major election, given his age and declining popularity. As one analyst put it, “Nitish Kumar wants to say goodbye in style – this likely being the last electoral battle of his career.”

If true, this adds emotional weight to the election. It’s not just about who wins, but also about how one of Bihar’s most significant political figures ends his career.

Conclusion: Will Nitish Kumar Remain CM After Bihar Election 2025?

The signs don’t look good for Nitish Kumar. His popularity has fallen to third place. Only 15.4% of people want him as CM again. Concerns about his health, credibility, and leadership are growing. Meanwhile, challengers like Tejashwi Yadav and Prashant Kishor are rising.

Even within the NDA, there’s ambiguity about his future. While state BJP leaders support him publicly, there’s no clear commitment from the top BJP leadership about him serving a full term as CM.

Prashant Kishor has boldly predicted, “Anybody can become the chief minister in November, after the Assembly elections are over, except Nitish Kumar.” He’s even offered to give up his political campaign if proven wrong.

But politics is unpredictable, especially in Bihar. Nitish Kumar has a unique social coalition of Mahadalits, Kurmis, Koeris, extremely backward classes, and some religious minorities. He still enjoys popularity among women due to his schemes like free cycle distribution for school girls and his prohibition policy.

The coming months will be crucial. Can Nitish Kumar reverse his declining popularity? Can he convince voters that he still has the energy and vision to lead Bihar? Or is it time for a new chapter in Bihar’s political story?

The answer lies with the voters of Bihar, who will make their choice in October-November 2025.

FAQs

Who is leading in the Bihar CM race for 2025?

According to the latest C-Voter survey, Tejashwi Yadav leads with 35.5% support, followed by Prashant Kishor at 17.2% and Nitish Kumar at 15.4%.

Why has Nitish Kumar’s popularity declined?

His popularity has declined due to concerns about his health and age, frequent alliance changes that hurt his credibility, and a perception of weakened leadership.

Will BJP support Nitish Kumar as CM candidate?

While state BJP leaders have voiced support, there’s no clear commitment from top BJP leadership about Nitish serving a full term as CM if NDA wins.

What is Prashant Kishor’s prediction about Nitish Kumar?

Prashant Kishor predicts that Nitish Kumar will not become CM after the 2025 elections, regardless of which alliance he joins. He says Nitish is “physically tired and mentally retired.”

Bihar stands at a crossroads. The choice voters make in the 2025 election will shape the state’s future for years to come. Whether Nitish Kumar continues or a new leader takes charge, what matters most is that Bihar moves forward on the path of development and prosperity.

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