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Wednesday, February 18, 2026
TopicBJP-JD(U) alliance

Topic: BJP-JD(U) alliance

How BJP’s fine-tuning its Nitish Kumar outreach to keep things smooth-sailing for Modi 3.0

JP Nadda has visited Bihar thrice in 2 months. Party leaders from both sides say, given the high stakes, there has been a significant shift in BJP’s strategy in dealing with JD(U).

‘Gameplan changed’—why sidelining Nitish is no longer an option for BJP

The BJP, learnt to be considering ousting Nitish as Bihar CM after the election, now needs him for the coalition govt at the Centre; 2025 Bihar assembly polls are also a factor.

Nitish Kumar piggybacking on Modi’s popularity in Bihar as JD(U)’s EBC & Muslim votebank wavers

Public support for Bihar’s longest-serving CM seems to be declining in Bihar, where people are promising to vote for Modi. There is also a surge of support for RJD’s Tejashwi Yadav.

‘Would rather die than tie up with BJP again,’ says Nitish Kumar to Oppn’s ‘unpopular CM’ barb

The JD(U) leader, who is now in alliance with Lalu Prasad Yadav’s RJD, has also accused BJP of filing bogus cases against deputy Tejashwai Yadav.

‘Pol-khol’: Bihar BJP plans rallies to ‘expose JD(U) lie factory’ about alliance split

Justifying its split with BJP, JD(U) has claimed that PM Modi inducted then party leader R.C.P. Singh into Union cabinet without Bihar CM Nitish Kumar's consent.

‘Thank you’ Chirag, Sushil Modi, Pradhan, RCP: 4 Shah-Nadda gambles that cost BJP power in Bihar

BJP badly missed Arun Jaitley in dealing with Nitish Kumar, especially when it was also trying to consolidate and expand in Bihar.

Deliver & don’t crib — Amit Shah ‘tells’ Bihar BJP leaders to fix relationship with JD(U)

Home minister Amit Shah interacted with MPs & MLAs while in Patna Sunday for meet of BJP's frontal organisations. Party and ally JD(U) have been airing differences on host of issues.

BJP cries foul as Patna district admin hits party turf with bulldozers to raze ‘illegal’ homes

17 bulldozers & 2,000 cops deployed to demolish 75 allegedly illegal houses in Patna's Rajiv Nagar Sunday. BJP leaders link action to conflicts between their party & JD(U).

‘Bullets fired, land grabbed, liquor’ — no end to controversies for Nitish govt

Some allege CM Nitish Kumar’s reaction to controversies has been subdued of late, especially since BJP emerged as senior alliance partner. But JD(U) defends CM.

Why Nitish’s JD(U) and BJP are compelled to stay in ‘unhappy marriage’, despite public sniping

Nitish seems to be facing more opposition from the BJP than he is from rival parties, on a multitude of issues, and not much of it is being kept under wraps by either side.

On Camera

Telangana spoke up for Muslim vendor who was attacked. South is different from the North

A poor Muslim man from Kurnool, selling khoya buns during the Medaram Jatara in Telangana, was harassed by some YouTubers and surrounded by a mob over allegations of 'food jihad'.

Venezuela crude returns to India’s oil basket. But only as ‘supplementary’ supply

Indian refiners are testing Venezuelan barrels again as Russian supply sinks, but analysts say volumes will remain limited due to refinery constraints & supply capacity.

US military commander, envoy Sergio Gor visit Indian Army Western Command, Bengaluru next

At the Western Army Command, the American delegation was briefed on the capabilities of the formation, past operations and the path ahead.

The new Great Game—Trump’s playing for time, China for leverage & India for wiggle room

This is the game every nation is now learning to play. Some are finding new allies or seeing value among nations where they’d seen marginal interest. The starkest example is India & Europe.