JD(U) exits, what next for BJP: the national picture

Nitish Kumar has walked out of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance for the second time in nine years.

The JD(U)'s exit highlights the fact that for the BJP and the party-led NDA, the eastern region continues to remain difficult terrain, especially the three big states of West Bengal, Odisha and Bihar.

The scenario continues to remain challenging in most of the southern states also and the saffron party is yet to emerge as a force to reckon with in Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

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With the JD(U)'s departure, the BJP along with its allies is in power in only two of the big states in terms of Lok Sabha seats. Uttar Pradesh and recently secured Maharashtra have the combined strength of 128 Lok Sabha seats.

Bihar along with Tamil Nadu and West Bengal, where the BJP is not in power, have the combined strength of 122 Lok Sabha MPs.

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On the back of strong performance in the north and western regions, the BJP has remained in power at the Centre since 2014 and has been focusing on eastern and southern regions to further expand its footprint.

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