Archive · 21 Sep 2026
JD(U) Intensifies Farakka Treaty Campaign Across Bihar’s Ganga Districts
The Janata Dal (United) is holding meetings in districts along the Ganga in Bihar.
It calls this effort “Nitish Samvad.”
The party wants changes to the water-sharing agreement between India and Bangladesh.
That agreement controls how Ganga water is shared near the Farakka Barrage during the dry season.
The agreement is due to expire in December.
The party says the current arrangement does not protect Bihar’s interests.
It says the campaign is about raising this issue with people, not about upcoming local elections.
However, one party leader said the work could help the National Democratic Alliance in future elections.
The Janata Dal (United) has launched “Nitish Samvad” across 12 Bihar districts along the Ganga.
The campaign opposes renewing the Ganges Water Sharing Treaty between India and Bangladesh, which expires in December.
The Janata Dal (United) says the treaty’s existing form harms Bihar’s interests and is unacceptable.
The 12 districts contain 83 Assembly constituencies, representing about 34% of Bihar’s Assembly seats.
The party denies a political motive, although a leader said the campaign could ultimately benefit the National Democratic Alliance in elections.
- Who
- The Janata Dal (United), led on this issue by Nitish Kumar, is conducting the campaign; Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary is also pressing for Bihar’s interests.
- What
- The party has launched “Nitish Samvad” to oppose renewal of the existing Ganges Water Sharing Treaty.
- When
- The campaign began nearly 10 months after the Bihar Assembly elections; the treaty is due to expire in December, with district visits planned through November.
- Where
- Across 12 Bihar districts along the Ganga: Buxar, Bhojpur, Saran, Patna, Vaishali, Samastipur, Begusarai, Lakhisarai, Munger, Khagaria, Bhagalpur and Katihar.
- Why
- The Janata Dal (United) says the existing treaty does not adequately protect Bihar’s interests.
JD(U)’s stated position
Political interpretation
Purpose of the campaign
JD(U)’s stated position
The Janata Dal (United) says the campaign is intended to raise Bihar’s interests and oppose the treaty’s existing form.
Political interpretation
A party leader said that working in these districts would ultimately help the National Democratic Alliance in elections.
Political motivation
JD(U)’s stated position
Party leaders deny that the initiative has a political motive, noting that no local elections are due in Bihar.
Political interpretation
The campaign covers 83 electorally significant constituencies and comes after the Bihar Assembly elections, suggesting potential electoral relevance.
- Campaign
- “Nitish Samvad”
- Districts covered
- 12 districts through which the Ganga flows in Bihar
- Districts completed
- Buxar, Bhojpur, Begusarai and Khagaria
- Treaty
- The Ganges Water Sharing Treaty was signed by India and Bangladesh on December 12, 1996.
- Treaty scope
- It governs Ganga water sharing at the Farakka Barrage, mainly from January 1 to May 31.
- Electoral relevance
- The 12 districts contain 83 Assembly constituencies, about 34% of Bihar’s 243-member Assembly.
- Bihar government position
- Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary has called for Bihar’s interests to be protected in any future arrangement.