Is Former MP Ajay Nishad Rejoining the BJP a Game Changer Ahead of Bihar Elections?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Ajay Nishad rejoined the BJP ahead of elections.
- His comeback is expected to strengthen community support.
- Political realignments are increasing in Bihar.
- Recent shifts include leaders from JDU joining RJD.
- Expect more strategic moves from political parties as elections approach.
Patna, October 10 (NationPress) In a noteworthy political shift as Bihar gears up for the 2025 Assembly elections, Ajay Nishad, the former MP from Muzaffarpur, made his comeback to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday evening.
Nishad, along with his wife Rama Nishad, officially re-entered the BJP.
They were graciously welcomed by Dilip Jaiswal, the Bihar BJP State President, who conducted the party membership formalities at the state headquarters.
Ajay Nishad, who comes from a well-established political lineage, previously represented Muzaffarpur in the Lok Sabha during the elections of 2014 and 2019 on a BJP ticket.
After being denied a ticket for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, he transitioned to the Congress and contested from Muzaffarpur, where he was defeated by the BJP’s Rajbhushan Nishad with a margin of 2.34 lakh votes.
Following Rajbhushan Nishad’s win and subsequent induction as Minister of State in the Narendra Modi government, Ajay Nishad’s ties with the BJP reportedly strengthened, leading to his formal return.
Ajay Nishad’s father, Jai Narayan Prasad Nishad, was a prominent leader who served as a three-time MP from Muzaffarpur and held a ministerial role in the central government.
As assembly elections loom, there is increasing speculation that either Ajay Nishad or his wife Rama may be candidates for the BJP from the Kudhni Assembly seat in Muzaffarpur. Party insiders consider his return a tactical move designed to solidify the Nishad community votes in the area.
This development coincides with a series of political realignments in Bihar.
Recently, four leaders from JDU, including former Purnea MP Santosh Kushwaha, switched allegiances to the RJD, indicating heightened political activity ahead of the elections.
In addition to Santosh Kushwaha, former JDU MLA Rahul Sharma and Chanakya Prakash, the son of the sitting JDU MP from Banka, Giridhari Yadav, have also joined the RJD.
Santosh Kushwaha previously contested from Purnea but lost to independent candidate Rajesh Ranjan, also known as Pappu Yadav, in 2024.