Democratic Newsroom Debates Nitish Kumar's Legacy: Sushasan Babu Or Paltu Ram?

This edition of Democratic Newsroom analyses the political career of Nitish Kumar, following his tenth oath-taking ceremony as Chief Minister of Bihar. The discussion, featuring journalists like Rajdeep Sardesai, weighs his two-decade-long tenure, debating if he is a political genius who cultivated specific vote banks like women ('Mahila'), minorities, and the most backward castes, or a political survivor known for compromising and switching alliances. Reflecting on this, Rajdeep Sardesai states, 'Today, Nitish Kumar made survival and end in itself.' The panel explores his reputation for avoiding corruption and dynasty politics, his 'Sushasan Babu' image, and the 'Paltu Ram' label earned from changing political partners. The conversation also touches upon his role in reviving the RJD in 2015 and whether his frequent shifts have dented his credibility, even as he remains indispensable to Bihar's politics.