New Delhi: The National Democratic Alliance in Bihar on Sunday unanimously elected Nitish Kumar as its leader in the state legislature, paving the way for his return as chief minister for the fourth consecutive term.
According to sources in the ruling coalition, an announcement to the effect was made at 1, Anney Marg, the chief ministers official residence, by senior BJP leader and defence minister Rajnath Singh who had flown down for the occasion.
The sources also said that senior BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi has been chosen the leader of the legislature party and is likely to return as deputy chief minister again, while Tarkishore Prasad, the MLA from Katihar, has been elected as the party’s leader in the state assembly.
Nitish met Governor Phagu Chauhan, staking claim for formation of the new government, and is likely to take oath on Monday.
Also read: Nitish Kumar May Be Quiet Now, But His Compromise With BJP Rings Loud
In the recent Bihar assembly elections, the results of which were announced on November 10, the NDA won 125 seats in the 243-member assembly. The BJP emerged as the largest party, winning 74 seats, and the ally JD(U) won 43. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, had said that “every BJP and NDA worker will ensure that our pledge for the state is fulfilled under the leadership of Nitish Kumar”, making it clear that he would be chief minister for a fourth time.
Nitish, when asked about his party’s relatively poor performance, said he had not staked claim to the chief ministerial seat. “I have made no claim on the CM chair, the decision will be taken by NDA. It has not been decided yet when the oath taking ceremony will be held, whether after Diwali or Chhath.”
Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Manoj Jha had early taken a jibe at Nitish, saying he was becoming chief minister but fif not have the people’s mandate. “How can someone become chief minister after getting 40 seats? People’s mandate is against him, he is decimated and should decide on it. Bihar will find its alternative, which will be spontaneous. It might take a week, ten days, or a month but it will happen,” he said.
(With PTI inputs)