Fact Check: Viral Video Of Nitish Kumar Hinting PM Modi May Not Win 2024 Elections Is Old

Nitish Kumar Viral Video Fact Check: The clip is from Aug 2022 when Nitish had left NDA and joined hands with RJD to form government in Bihar. It has no link to the ongoing 2024 general election.

Screenshot of an X post shared with a misleading claim.

Nitish Kumar Viral Video: With the first four phases of the ongoing 2024 Lok Sabha elections completed, the country is now preparing for the fifth phase of general polls, scheduled for May 20. Social media platforms are flooded with numerous images and videos related to the elections. Amidst this, a video featuring Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar addressing the media has gone viral. In the video, Kumar is heard saying, "I cannot say whether those who came in fourteen will be able to stay in twenty-four or not." Users sharing the video claim that Nitish Kumar has during the current Lok Sabha elections expressed doubt about Narendra Modi's victory in 2024. Additionally, they are suggesting that Kumar is signaling another potential departure from the BJP.

Let’s check the truth.

जो चौदह में आए, वो चौबीस में रह पाएंगे की नही रह पाएंगे ये मैं नहीं कह सकता– नीतीश कुमार

चच्चा फिर से पलटी मारने की पूरी तैयारी में हैं। हवा का रुख पता चल चुका है।#BiharCampaign2024 pic.twitter.com/SUBgzBGkgW

— Naresh Balyan (@AAPNareshBalyan) May 12, 2024

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Fact Check

We started our investigation by conducting a keyword and reverse image search on Google and the results led us to a video on ABP News’ YouTube channel This video contains an extended version of the viral video and it was uploaded on 10 August 2022. This shows that the viral video is one year old. The video has no connection to the recent Lok Sabha elections. The viral video may be viewed about 18.50 minutes into the channel.

According to news reports, when Nitish Kumar was speaking to the media at Raj Bhavan after taking oath in 2022, he attacked the BJP with gestures. In response to a question, he even said, “Those who came in 14 can’t say anything about whether we will be able to live till 24 or not.” At the time, he questioned Narendra Modi’s victory in 2024.

Upon further investigation we found the news reports of the viral video here, here and here.

When Nitish Kumar spoke to the media after taking oath as the Chief Minister for the 8th time, he said that ‘Will those who came in 2014 also come in 2024? I want all opposition parties to unite for 2024. After leaving NDA, Bihar CM attacked Narendra Modi and BJP without naming them. Nitish said, ‘Those who think that the opposition will end, we have also joined the opposition. People should keep doing whatever they want to do. 

Nitish Kumar again with NDA 

Let us tell you that the results of all the elections held since 2005 are examples. Even after leaving NDA in 2013, he won the elections in 2015 as the leader of the Grand Alliance. Left the Grand Alliance in 2017 and was successful in winning the elections as the leader of NDA in 2020. After the 2020 election results came out, then in 2022 Nitish Kumar broke the alliance with BJP and formed the government again with RJD. However, this alliance also did not last long and in 2023 Nitish Kumar again joined hands with BJP. Currently JDU and BJP are contesting the Lok Sabha elections together. 

Conclusion 

Fact Crescendo found the claim made along with the viral video to be Misleading. The viral video is from August 2022. When Nitish Kumar left the NDA and joined RJD. It has no link to the ongoing 2024 general election

This story was originally published by Fact Crescendo as part of the Shakti Collective. Except for the headline, excerpt, and the opening introduction para, this story has not been edited by ABPLIVE staff.