The political scene in Bihar witnessed a significant development as former Union Minister Nagmani made his 14th move, changing political parties. This latest shift adds another layer to his long and dynamic political journey. Nagmani, often called the ‘Lenin of Bihar,’ has been a notable figure, having been associated with various political parties throughout his career, not just in Bihar but also at the central government level.
Before the Bihar Assembly elections, Nagmani left Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj and joined the BJP. This was his second stint with the BJP, having been associated with the RJD, JDU, and Congress twice each. Nagmani’s career includes Congress, RJD, JDU, RLSP, NCP, and even the BSP. He’s also formed his own parties at times, merging them later.
He first became an MLA in 1977, starting with the Shoshit Samaj Dal. He has remained a key player in Bihar politics since, changing parties as the political situation warranted.
His political journey began with the Shoshit Samaj Dal, followed by stints with the Congress, Janata Dal, Rashtriya Janata Dal, Bharatiya Janata Party, Lok Janshakti Party, Janata Dal United, then the Congress again, the Nationalist Congress Party, Rashtriya Lok Samata Party, and then back to the JDU and the Bharatiya Janata Party, adapting to the political climate.
During his political career, Nagmani also founded his own parties. In 2015, he formed the Samras Samaj Party, creating a Socialist Secular Front with others. However, he merged his Samras Samaj Party with Upendra Kushwaha’s Rashtriya Lok Samata Party in 2017, where he became the National Executive President. He then formed the Shoshit Inquilab Party, which later merged with the Bahujan Samaj Party.
Nagmani is one of the few leaders to have been a member of all four legislative bodies: the Assembly, the Legislative Council, the Rajya Sabha, and the Lok Sabha. He also served as a Union Minister in 2003.
RCP Singh, a former bureaucrat turned politician, is also known for switching parties. He joined the JDU, becoming party president under Nitish Kumar, and later served as Union Minister of Steel. However, relations with Nitish Kumar soured later.
After a falling out with Nitish Kumar, RCP Singh joined the Bharatiya Janata Party. He then launched his own party, Aap Sab Ki Awaaz, which he recently merged into Jan Suraaj. He is currently working on strategies for Jan Suraaj for the upcoming assembly elections.
Vijay Kumar Chaudhary, a key ally of CM Nitish Kumar, is also on the list of leaders who changed parties. He resigned from his government job after his father’s death in 1982 and contested elections on a Congress ticket. He was an MLA from 1983-1995 and was the Congress Legislature Party leader. He later joined the JDU in 2005 and is now one of the most prominent leaders there.