Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar took oath as Bihar chief minister and formed the government by joining hands with the BJP-led NDA alliance. This has come as a major blow to the INDIA block and Mahagathbandhan. Kumar was part of the Mahagathbandhan some 18 months ago.
After taking oath, while speaking to journalists, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said, "We will stay together. 8 leaders took oath as ministers today and the rest will be inducted soon. Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Sinha have been appointed as Deputy Chief Ministers..."
After taking oath as a minister in the new Nitish Kumar-led government, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)'s Dr Prem Kumar told ANI, "Bihar will progress. We will work for the development of the state under the leadership of our CM & deputy CMs...,"
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Nitish Kumar, Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Sinha after they took oath. Taking to his X handle, the PM said, "The NDA government formed in Bihar will leave no stone unturned for the development of the state and to fulfil the aspirations of its people..."
Nitish Kumar, who resigned earlier today, took oath as the chief minister of Bihar. He formed the government by joining hands with the BJP-led NDA alliance.
BJP chief JP Nadda and Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) chief Chirag Paswan arrive at Patna Airport ahead of oath-taking ceremony.
Union Minister Ramdas Athawale told ANI, "We welcome Nitish Kumar's decision. Nitish Kumar has taken the right decision at the right time... If Bihar has to be developed then there is no benefit for him in being with the INDIA alliance. His decision is a huge blow to the INDIA alliance..."
On Nitish Kumar-led JD(U) joining NDA, Congress leader Pawan Khera told ANI, "Someone who has to leave has to say something or the other. It is not easy to live with one's conscience after taking such a step. If you are doing this for the 9th time, the conscience probably left you long back. He can say whatever he wants...Nitish Kumar could have had his name registered in history in a good manner but think about what situation he has brought himself in. He is becoming a subject of mockery in every household. Now, it is his desire if he wants to be a subject of mockery."
As Nitish Kumar is all set to take oath as Bihar CM again, Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) president Chirag Paswan said, "...I will attend the oath ceremony today as an NDA ally. It is a matter of joy that NDA is coming to power in Bihar...We too have a vision of 'Bihar First, Bihari First'. I have said earlier too that I have had policy-based differences with Bihar CM Nitish Kumar and I still have those differences. If the work continues as per his policies, the differences will probably continue in the time to come. I have always believed that his policies have not facilitated development in Bihar..."
Nitish Kumar has reportedly submitted BJP's letter of support to Governor Rajendra Arlekar. The Governor has accepted the letter. Following this, the oath ceremony may be held today. Samrat Chaudhary and Vijay Sinha are set to be Deputy CMs in Nitish Cabinet.
The current acting CM Nitish Kumar and two Deputy CMs from BJP likely to take oath today at around 5 pm.
Bihar MLAs unanimously passed the proposal to form the NDA government in the state with BJP, JD(U) and other allies. Samrat Chaudhary has been elected as the Leader of the legislative party while Vijay Sinha elected as the Deputy Leader.
Union Minister and BJP MP Giriraj Singh says, "I thank Nitish Kumar that he has resigned. Whatever be his compulsion, Bihar was perplexed if there was a Jungle Raj 2-like situation in 1.5 years. Had Tejashwi Yadav sat on the seat (CM position), it would have been very difficult...I was concerned about just one thing now, I was apprehensive that with the kind of pressure that Lalu Yadav was putting on him for the 'tajposhi' of Tejashwi - Bihar would have had a jungle raj again. It is free of this now. BJP won't allow jungle raj in Bihar..."
Governor Rajendra Arlekar has deputed Nitish Kumar as the acting CM of the state after the latter tendered his resignation as the Chief Minister of Bihar.
"Today, I have resigned as the Chief Minister and I have also told the Governor to dissolve the government in the state," said JD(U) president Nitish Kumar after coming out of Raj Bhawan in Patna.
Bihar CM and JD(U) president Nitis Kumar today met Governor at Raj Bhavan and resigned from his position. He reportedly told the Governor, "We have decided to sever ties with the mahagathbandhan in the state."
Bihar Chief Minister and JD(U) president Nitish Kumar arrived at the Raj Bhavan in Patna. He is likely to resign as the CM before taking his next move.
The BJP legislative party meeting in Patna concluded while at the meeting of the party leaders in Patna, all JD(U) leaders have authorised CM and party president Nitish Kumar to take any decision.
On the current political situation in Bihar, Union Minister Giriraj Singh told ANI, " Political turmoil is inevitable in the Mahagathbandhan. Even we are closely monitoring what's going on in the media. Today, our National president will be visiting. When a political activity takes place, it is only natural to have good and bad implications for society and political parties..."
He further said, "BJP is a strong party in Bihar. We had a meeting with our MLAs yesterday, and we will have one today also... BJP is not a mute spectator but is seriously monitoring the situation. When the situation becomes clear, BJP will take a decision on the leadership..."
Amid political developments in the state, a meeting of Bihar BJP MLAs and leaders of the party is reportedly underway at the party office in Patna.
Amid the political crisis in Bihar, there is a buzz that whoever goes with the marriage party, Nitish Kumar becomes the groom. Nitish Kumar has been proving it for the last 23 years as he has become the...Read More.
As per the latest report, BJP Bihar President Samrat Chaudhary arrived at the party office in Patna for a meeting of the party MLAs.
On the current political situation in Bihar, RJD leader Mrityunjay Tiwari told ANI, "... The people are watching everything and will keep a record of all this. The work done in the last 15 months with Tejaswi Yadav as deputy CM can never be forgotten. This is our achievement... We don't need to tell anyone the true face of BJP. BJP said all its doors have been closed (for Nitish Kumar) and now they have again opened all doors... We have worked extensively for the people of Bihar, and our work speaks. We will keep working..."
JD(U) MLAs have started arriving at the residence of CM Nitish Kumar for a meeting. Asked about the agenda of the meeting, an MLA said, "I don't know what the meeting is about. We will tell you whatever is discussed inside..."
When asked about recent political developments in Bihar and speculations around Nitish Kumar, BJP MLA Motilal Prasad told ANI, "I have no such details with me. We have a meeting at 9 am and I have come for that...Anything is possible in politics, but no such decision has come before us. So I won't be able to say much about it..."