Born six months apart, Nitish Kumar and Narendra Modi are two of India’s most significant political figures. Their relationship has gone through many turns that have influenced the outcome of the Bihar elections 2025. From ideological opposites to consistent partners, the Nitish Kumar–Narendra Modi story is one of political pragmatism.
Parallel starts, divergent paths
Narendra Modi was born in 1950 in Vadnagar, Gujarat; Nitish Kumar in 1951 in Bakhtiarpur, Bihar. Modi began in the RSS, learning organisational methods. Nitish entered politics through the JP movement, along side former Bihar CM Lalu Prasad Yadav, and became active in socialist groups in Bihar. These early choices defined different political paths.
From rivals to partners and back again
In the 1990s, Nitish left Lalu to form the Samata Party and moved closer to the BJP. Modi was working to expand the BJP in Gujarat. They joined forces when interests aligned, showing how the BJP–JD(U) alliance has been more strategic than ideological. By 2010, Nitish distanced himself from “communal” Modi to maintain his secular voter base. As Modi rose nationally, Nitish adjusted his stance, alternating between opposition and partnership. Each shift affected Bihar’s political balance ahead of the Bihar elections 2025.
Two models, overlapping influence
Modi’s politics emphasised a development and investment-led Gujarat model. Nitish focused on governance and welfare delivery through water supply, school meals, and education for girls. Despite differences, both adopted elements from each other’s approach. Cooperation turned into criticism and back, marking the Nitish Kumar–Narendra Modi equation.
Survival through adaptability
Nitish’s shifts between NDA and INDIA, and Modi’s consolidation of power, show both leaders prioritising position and influence. The BJP–JD(U) alliance has often influenced governance in Bihar. At times, their partnership presented a joint front. At others, their split created new political groupings that changed poll outcomes.
Why it matters for Bihar elections 2025
The shared and shifting history between Nitish and Modi is a key factor in Bihar politics. Voters weigh governance, caste, and political positioning through the lens of their relationship. As alliances and narratives evolve, the NiMo story remains central to understanding coalition patterns and outcomes in the Bihar elections 2025.
The political paradox: rivalry and reliance
At 74 and 75, Nitish Kumar and Narendra Modi continue to be both competitors and collaborators. Their journeys show how personal equations, timing, and strategy can reshape Bihar’s political landscape, especially in the run-up to the Bihar elections 2025.
