Bihar Election 2025: Nitish Kumar And His Uncanny Ability To Change Sides And Swing Tides - In Photos

The self-proclaimed “kaam karne wala” Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has as many naysayers as he has had past allies. The Janata Dal (United) supremo has been, for over two decades, at the centre of every Bihar election since 2005. Often termed paltu ram by his haters, Kumar is aiming for a record fifth term as Bihar Chief Minister. His first term, however, only lasted a week. In 2000, when Kumar became the CM with an NDA-coalition. If he becomes CM in this assembly election, it would be the tenth time he has been sworn in to the post.

Updated on: 3 November 2025 10:45 am

The many turns of Nitish, a man with balance and power, through the decades of Bihar |Photo: Outlook Archives

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Nitish first enters national prominence; part of the United Front government as railway minister |Photo: Outlook Archives

2/12

Nitish allies firmly with BJP via the NDA, consolidates his political stature |Photo: Outlook Archives

3/12

First stint as CM in 2000 for seven days | Photo: IMAGO/Hindustan Times

4/12

Nitish becomes CM with BJP’s support, ending Lalu-Rabri rule |Photo: Outlook Archives

5/12

High popularity — hailed for governance, law-and-order, and development (2010) | Photo: Imago stock & people

6/12

Leaves NDA in 2013 after Modi named pm candidate | Photo: IMAGO/Hindustan Times

7/12

Creates the mahagathbandhan against NDA Nitish-Sonia-Lalu Swabhiman Rally at Gandhi Maidan in Patna | Photo: PTI

8/12

Nitish during Mahagathbandhan | Photo: Tribhuvan Tiwari/Outlook

9/12

JDU loses. Nitish Kumar after submitting his resignation in Patna | Photo: PTI

10/12

Dumps RJD, rejoins NDA in 2017 another political pivot. Narendra Modi, Keshari Nath Tripathi, Nitish Kumar at Patna airport in Patna | Photo: PTI

11/12

Breaks with BJP again, joins Mahagathbandhan in 2022 | Photo: IMAGO/Hindustan Times

12/12

Rejoins NDA after 2024 victory | Photo: Suresh K. Pandey/Outlook