Bihar political turmoil: 79 IPS, 45 BAS officers transferred amid RJD, JD (U) split

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. File Pic

Amid anticipation that Chief Minister Nitish Kumar may rejoin the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), the Bihar administration has carried out a massive bureaucratic restructure. On Friday, amid Bihar political turmoil, 79 Indian Police Service (IPS) and 45 Bihar Administrative Service (BAS) officers were relocated across the state, according to an ANI report.

According to a statement from the state government, IPS Sushil Mansingh Khopde, who was previously the Special Task Force's Additional Director General (Operations), has been appointed ADG (Prohibition). IPS Amrit Raj, who formerly served as ADG (Prohibition), has been posted as ADG (Operations). In addition, IPS officer Deepak Ranjan, who is now the Superintendent of Police in Jehanabad, has been appointed commandant of the Bihar Special Armed Police, Bodh Gaya, the report added.

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According to the reports, the political situation in Bihar is heated, with speculations that Nitish Kumar is considering rejoining the NDA. This speculation follows his departure from the alliance in 2022 to form the 'Mahagathbandhan.' Leaders such as Jitan Ram Manjhi have hinted at a potential rupture of the current alliance.

Sushil Kumar Modi, a senior BJP politician, during the ongoing Bihar political turmoil, has stated that doors in politics are not forever closed, allowing for the possibility of resuming ties with Nitish Kumar's JDU.

"We are keeping an eye on all the developments and if needed an appropriate decision will be taken. No door is permanently closed in politics and the door can be opened if needed..." Sushil Modi told ANI.

According to the report, Nitish Kumar's political manoeuvring began in 2022 when he launched efforts to bring opposition forces together against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the ruling party. However, recent words and occurrences point to a probable shift in alliances.

The situation worsened when RJD President Lalu Prasad Yadav's daughter, Rohini Acharya, criticised the JDU, causing friction within the ruling alliance. If Nitish Kumar decides to swap parties, it will be the fourth time he does so, the report added.

The RJD has 79 MLAs in the current Bihar Assembly, which has 243 seats. The BJP comes in second with 78. The JD(U) has 45 seats, Congress has 19, the CPI (M-L) has 12, and the CPI(M) and CPI have two apiece. In addition, the Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) has four seats, the AIMIM one, and one Independent legislator.