BackNitish, Tejashwi break silence over poll verdict, Bihar govt formation likely soon
'People have given the mandate to the NDA and it will form the government. I have made no claim. The decision will be taken by the NDA. It is not decided yet when the oath ceremony will take place, whether after Diwali or Chhath, Nitish Kumar said
PremiumNEW DELHI : All partners of the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) would meet on Friday to take a final decision on government formation in Bihar, Janata Dal (United), or JD(U), chief Nitish Kumar said on Thursday.
Kumar, however, clarified that he has not staked claim to be chief minister for a record fourth time. Kumar was the chief ministerial candidate of the NDA and the alliance had contested the assembly polls under his leadership. However, the final decision would be taken at the meeting, he said.
“People have given the mandate to the NDA and it will form the government. I have made no claim. The decision will be taken by the NDA. It is not decided yet when the oath ceremony will take place, whether after Diwali or Chhath. We are analysing the results of this election. Members of all four parties will meet tomorrow (Friday)," Kumar told reporters.
Two days after a photo-finish electoral verdict in Bihar, key stakeholders including the incumbent JD(U) and the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD)-led Mahagathbandhan held separate brainstorming sessions with their newly-elected MLAs and discussed the way forward.
The RJD’s chief ministerial candidate, Tejashwi Yadav, also spoke about the election results for the first time on Thursday. Yadav, who on Thursday was elected the leader of the Mahagatbandhan legislature party, said that the mandate of the election was for change and that his alliance would lead a statewide campaign from January if development was not given priority by the new government.
“This is a mandate for change. If Nitish Kumar has any morality left, if he has got over his fascination for continuing to be in the chair, he should accept that this mandate was for change. We will take out a dhanyawad yatra as well because we consider this a win...If things don’t improve by January and development work is not prioritized, we will run a big campaign," Yadav said.
Yadav reiterated the Opposition’s demand for recounting of votes in seats where candidates had concerns over the process, particularly with respect to postal ballots. The Election Commission has maintained that the system was transparent and it was under no duress.
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