T he question why some leaders endure while others fade swiftly has preoccupied political scientists for decades. From Samuel Huntington’s notion of institutional adaptability to Bruce Bueno de Mesquita’s selectorate theory of political survival and Rajni Kothari’s analysis of power realignment in Indian politics, the central insight is clear: longevity in office is less about charisma and more about a leader’s capacity to renew legitimacy, manage coalitions, and institutionalise governance.

Bihar’s Nitish Kumar exemplifies this thesis of political longevity. Since 2005, he has remained the state’s unbroken pivot of power—serving as Chief Minister almost continuously except for a brief interruption—by mastering the art of adaptation, coalition management, and administrative credibili

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