BJP Loses Power In Bihar In Blow To Modi Gov't

The Hindu nationalist BJP has been ousted from the governing coalition in India's third-most populous state, Bihar, in a blow to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The BJP previously governed in coalition with the left-wing regionalist Janata Dal (United) party. However, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has withdrawn from the grouping, and instead is set to form a gov't with the centre-left regionalist Rashtriya Janata Dal party, the largest in the legislative assembly.

• The eastern Indian state of Bihar is viewed as politically influential, sending the third-highest number of lawmakers to the Indian Parliament of any state in the union.
• While PM Modi's gov't retains its large majority and significant support at the federal level, any fracturing of support between the BJP and its erstwhile regional allies could prove troublesome come the 2024 general election.
• A broad alliance of opposition parties against the BJP is the only likely way Modi would be denied a third consecutive term in office, and the collapse of a regional alliance in one of India's most populous states will prove concerning to the BJP leadership.