JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar takes oath as Bihar Chief Minister during the swearing-in ceremony of new state government, at Raj Bhavan in Patna, Sunday, Jan. 28, 2024. (PTI Photo)Bihar Politics Highlights, Nitish Kumar News: JD(U) president Nitish Kumar took oath as Chief Minister of Bihar for the ninth time amid chants of ‘Jai Shri Ram’ in Raj Bhawan, Patna. Two Deputy CMs from BJP, Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha, and six other ministers including Bijendra Prasad Yadav, Santosh Kumar Suman, Shrawan Kumar, and others also took the oath today.
Get the full list of cabinet ministers here
Earlier in the day, Bihar Governor Rajendra Arlekar accepted the formation of the NDA government in Bihar after Nitish Kumar submitted his resignation. Severing ties with the RJD, Nitish once again formed a government, this time with the BJP. The party has chosen two deputy CMs — Vijay Sinha and Samrat Choudhary.
Shortly after Nitish resigned, Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the JD(U) chief to congratulate him. Speaking to reporters outside the Raj Bhavan, Nitish said that he has left the Opposition’s INDIA alliance as no work was being done there. He added that a new alliance will be formed. Nitish’s flip-flop has created a dent in the INDIA alliance, with many in the Opposition criticising him.
K C Tyagi: ‘Nitish walked out of INDIA as Cong conspired to finish off regional parties’
On a day Bihar Chief Minister and JD(U) supremo Nitish Kumar snapped his ties with the Mahagathbandhan (grand alliance) and rejoined the BJP-led NDA, JD(U) national spokesperson and political advisor K C Tyagi speaks to The Indian Express on a range of issues related to Nitish’s move and its ramifications for the Opposition INDIA bloc.
Excerpts:
People will give befitting reply to Nitish for 'betrayal': Opposition parties
The Congress, RJD, and other parties forming the INDIA bloc criticised Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for what they perceived as a betrayal of the opposition alliance ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. Kumar's decision to align with the BJP led to accusations of him being a "chameleon" and "Paltu Ram" for his frequent shifts in political allegiance.
Expressing their displeasure, these parties issued a warning, asserting that the people of Bihar would respond strongly to Kumar's actions and the alliance with the BJP. Tejashwi Yadav, former deputy and RJD leader, predicted that JD(U) is on the verge of being "finished" in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.
The BJP, however, said its alliance with Kumar was "natural" and asserted that the "double engine government" of the NDA would benefit Bihar. Party leaders also claimed that the INDIA bloc would soon disintegrate as the alliance has "no ideological basis".
Leaders of the Congress, RJD, DMK, JMM, TMC, CPI(ML)-L and AAP attacked Kumar after the INDIA bloc received a major setback with his stunning volte face, less than 18 months after he parted ways with the BJP and formed the 'Mahagathbandhan' government in Bihar.
Nitish Kumar is one of the most unreliable leaders: Bhupesh Baghel
“Nitish Kumar is one of the most unreliable leaders. He initiated the INDIA alliance and has now sat in the lap of those, against whom he used to campaign. It is beyond my understanding whether he has morality left or not,” says former Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel.
Nitish Kumar sworn in as Bihar CM for the 9th time | Key Highlights
? Switching sides for the fifth time in just over a decade, JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar returned to the NDA on Sunday, less than 18 months after he left the alliance, and took oath as the Bihar Chief Minister for the ninth time.
? BJP leaders Samrat Choudhary and former Speaker Vijay Kumar Sinha, named as Deputy Chief Ministers, were among the ministers sworn in. Six other ministers, Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) leader Santosh Kumar Suman, Independent Sumit Kumar Singh, BJP’s Prem Kumar, and JD(U)’s Vijay Kumar Choudhary, Bijendra Prasad Yadav and Shravan Kumar, also took oath.
? BJP president J P Nadda was among those who attended the swearing-in ceremony, which saw supporters raising slogans of “Jai Shri Ram”. With Samrat Choudhary, a Kushwaha leader, and Vijay Kumar Sinha, a Bhumihar leader, the BJP has decided to go for an OBC-upper caste combination in its choice of Deputy Chief Ministers.
? Congratulating Kumar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted on ‘X’: “NDA government formed in Bihar will not leave any stone unturned to fulfil people’s aspirations and work for the state’s development. I congratulate Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha for becoming Deputy CMs. I believe this team will work with commitment to serve our people”.
? Earlier in the day, after tendering his resignation, Kumar said: “I have resigned and put an end to (Mahagathbandhan) government…Things were not going well. Everyone was in favour of breaking this alliance…we had forged a new alliance (in August 2022) but it too was not working well. I had been working a lot for Bihar and also worked for the new alliance (INDIA bloc) but it too, had not been working out well.”
Rest of the INDIA family stays intact: Supriya Sule
On JD(U) chief Nitish Kumar taking oath as Bihar CM after joining NDA, NCP working president Supriya Sule said, "It is clearly disappointing for us because he is a tall leader of India. But it is a democracy and everyone has the right to feel, but the rest of the INDIA family stays intact. We will not just work as an organisation but as India's family...Why should there be a problem if one ally has a difference of opinion?..."
Nitish Kumar 'natural ally', NDA will sweep Lok Sabha elections: BJP president JP Nadda
The BJP on Sunday characterised its alliance with Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar as "natural" and emphasised that the coalition would be advantageous for the state.
Speaking at a press conference in Patna, shortly after his attendance at Kumar's swearing-in ceremony as an alliance partner, BJP national president JP Nadda confidently stated that the NDA is poised to "sweep" the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
He also attacked the opposition bloc INDIA, saying it stands for "bhrashtachar bachao, parivar bachao”( protect corruption and save the family).
He said the new NDA government headed by Nitish Kumar will make 'Ujjwal Bihar.'
"The people of Bihar had given the mandate in the last assembly polls to our natural alliance with Nitish Kumar. Bihar has gained whenever we have been in power together, be it in terms of law and order or economic development," Nadda said.
Express View on Nitish Kumar’s latest switch: His political promiscuity points to limitations of Mandal in face of Mandir plus Mandal
Nitish Kumar has switched sides again, for the second time in two years, his fifth crossover in a little over a decade, preceding his ninth time as chief minister. What he said against the BJP, after he left it again to join hands once more with Lalu Yadav in 2022, his statements against Yadav-led RJD after he broke, in 2017, the JD(U)-RJD Mahagathbandhan that swept to power in Bihar in 2015, his public disagreement with the NDA’s decision to anoint then Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi its prime ministerial candidate, which led to his exit in 2013 from a 17-year-old alliance with the BJP — these are not the point. As eye-catching a figure as Nitish is, it may be more useful in this moment to look beyond him.
For all his dramatic somersaults, Nitish is not the hero of this story whose central theme, and question, is this: In the face of a dominant Hindutva, and a Mandir politics that is aggressively Mandalising itself, what does the politics of social justice mean, what is its USP? What happens, going ahead, to the erstwhile flag-bearers of Mandal? Nitish’s political promiscuity in Bihar underlines the vulnerability of Mandal forces in Bihar and elsewhere, if they are not able to add layers to their core pitch, if they continue to rely only on bare-knuckled caste math, if they don’t join it to vocabularies of governance. Read more
Watch: JP Nadda, Samrat Choudhary show victory sign after forming NDA govt in Bihar
BJP national president JP Nadda, Bihar Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary, and other party leaders show a victory sign after forming the NDA government in Bihar.
The double-engine government will benefit Bihar: JP Nadda
Speaking in Patna, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national president JP Nadda highlighted the potential benefits that the alliance between Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's Janata Dal (United) and the BJP could bring to the state.
"Now, the double-engine government will benefit Bihar," he said.
'With the NDA government, there will be stability and improvement in law and order in Bihar," Nadda added.
Kumar was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Bihar for a record 9th time on Sunday (January 28). Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislators Samrat Choudhary, Vijay Sinha and Dr Prem Kumar also took as ministers — with the saffron party picking the Choudhary and Sinha as Deputy CMs.
The development came hours after Nitish had resigned as the CM, toppling the previous Mahagathbandhan government. He also once again joined the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), which he had quit in 2022 to form an alliance with arch rival Lalu Prasad’s Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and the Congress.
NDA govt formed in Bihar will leave no stone unturned for development of state: PM Modi
Congratulating Bihar Chief Minsiter Nitish Kumar and his two deputies, Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday asserted that the newly sworn-in NDA government in Bihar will leave no stone unturned for the state's development and to fulfil people's aspirations.
In a post on X, Modi said he is confident that the new government in Bihar will serve the people with full dedication.
Akhilesh Yadav presented alliance model to counter BJP, others should follow: SP
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav has introduced an alliance model to challenge the BJP in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. A spokesperson for the SP emphasised the significance of this model, suggesting that other political parties should consider adopting a similar strategy.
This statement comes in the wake of JD(U) president Nitish Kumar's resignation as the Chief Minister of Bihar.
Reacting to the development, Samajwadi Party spokesperson Ameeq Jamei said, "The upcoming elections are for saving our secular democracy. Our party leader Akhilesh Yadav has presented a model by announcing seat-sharing with the Congress and RLD."
"A second round of talks with the Congress is on. Everyone should follow this to remove the BJP (from power)," he said.
I was with NDA earlier too..now we are together and will remain so: Bihar CM Nitish Kumar
Addressing the media after the swearing-in ceremony, JD(U) president Nitish Kumar expressed his commitment to the NDA, emphasising that the paths may have diverged in the past, but they are now united and will remain so.
"I was with them (NDA) earlier too. We went on different paths, but now we are together and will remain so. Today, eight people have taken oath as ministers, the rest will take oath soon. I came back to where I was (NDA), and now there is no question of going anywhere else," stated the Bihar Chief Minister.
Nitish Kumar back in NDA: Chirag Paswan expresses optimism about double engine government's impact on Bihar
Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) chief Chirag Paswan on Sunday expressed the belief that with Nitish Kumar now being a part of the NDA, the double-engine government would effectively extend the reach of central government schemes to the people of the state.
“Now that he (Nitish Kumar) has become a part of NDA and has aligned himself with the ideology of PM Modi, I believe the double engine government will be able to spread central government’s schemes to people in the state,” he said.
JD(U) will be finished in LS polls: Tejashwi Yadav
After his party lost power due to Nitish Kumar's latest volte-face, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav on Sunday asserted that the JD(U) would face an end in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
Referring to his former boss as a "respected" yet "tired" leader, the former deputy chief minister cautioned the BJP, currently in alliance with the JD(U) chief, that the septuagenarian leader was unwilling to share "credit" with coalition partners.
"Nitish Kumar seems to have a problem with me getting the credit for many achievements of our government. It should ring alarm bells for the BJP," remarked Yadav.
"Nitishji is a respectable leader. He used to mock me when I was in the opposition for promising 10 lakh jobs during the 2020 state elections. I made him work in that direction", he said.
'Will ensure peace, harmony and brotherhood in the state': JD(U) leader Shrawan Kumar
After taking oath as Bihar Minister, JD(U) leader Shrawan Kumar expressed the commitment to take all necessary steps for the development of Bihar.
"We will take all necessary steps for the development of Bihar and will ensure peace, harmony and brotherhood in the state,” Shrawan Kumar stated.
Nitish Kumar will go down in political history as great Paltu Ram: NCP
The NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) on Sunday said that Nitish Kumar would go down in political history as the "great paltu Ram" who willingly adheres to the BJP's directives.
"It is not surprising that he has done this 'Volte - Face' once again because he seems to be addicted to this kind of behaviour," NCP national spokesperson Clyde Crasto said in a statement.
The NCP dubbed BJP the "madari" of Nitish Kumar, who it said "loves jumping to their commands".
Behind BJP’s Deputy CM picks: OBC-upper caste faces, rewarding aggression, keeping Nitish Kumar in check
Joining hands with JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar to form a new NDA government in Bihar with Nitish as the Chief Minister, the BJP has chosen two of its senior leaders – state party president Samrat Choudhary and erstwhile Leader of Opposition Vijay Sinha – as the Deputy CMs.
Evidently, the BJP has decided to go ahead with the same set of leadership with the same OBC and upper caste combination, with the Lok Sabha elections barely a couple of months away.
While Choudhary is a Kushwaha leader, Sinha belongs to the Bhumihar community.
The BJP Legislature Party has also elected Choudhary, an aggressive OBC face, as its leader, thus giving him primacy over Sinha, who will be the its deputy leader.
The NDA led by Nitish had also won the 2020 Assembly elections together following which the BJP had appointed OBC Vaishya leader Tarkishore Prasad and EBC Nonia leader Renu Devi as its Deputy CMs. They had continued in their posts until August 2022 when Nitish had crossed over to the Mahagathbandhan (grand alliance) led by Lalu Prasad-headed RJD. Read more
We are looking forward to winning 40 out of 40 LS seats in the state: BJP's Samrat Choudhary
After taking the oath as a minister in Bihar cabinet, BJP leader Samrat Choudhary emphasised that the development of Bihar would be their top priority.
“Bihar’s development will be our priority. We are looking forward to winning 40 out of 40 Lok Sabha seats in the state,” Choudhary said.
Nitish takes oath as chief minister of Bihar for record ninth time
JD(U) president Nitish Kumar was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Bihar for a record ninth term.
Governor Rajendra Arlekar administered the oath of office at the Raj Bhavan in the state capital.
Along with Kumar, BJP leaders Vijay Kumar Sinha and Samrat Choudhary took oath as ministers in the Kumar-led government.
Kumar had earlier in the day resigned as the chief minister, saying "things were not working well" for him in the 'Mahagathbandhan' and in the opposition bloc INDIA, and staked claim to form a new government with the BJP, which he had dumped less than 18 months ago.
8 leaders take oath as cabinet ministers in new govt led by Nitish Kumar
A total of eight leaders took the oath as cabinet ministers in the new government led by Nitish Kumar.
Three from the BJP – Samrat Choudhary, Vijay Kumar Sinha, and Prem Kumar. Three from JDU – Vijay Kumar Choudhary, Bijendra Prasad Yadav, and Shrawon Kumar. Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) President Santosh Kumar Suman and independent MLA Sumit Kumar Singh also took the oath as ministers.
Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) chief Santosh Kumar Suman takes oath as minister
Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) president Santosh Kumar Suman takes oath as a minister in the new Nitish Kumar-led government.
BJP's Samrat Choudhary takes oath as a Cabinet Minister
BJP state president and MLC Samrat Choudhary took oath as a Cabinet Minister today. Choudhary was on Sunday chosen the leader of the BJP’s legislature party, paving the way for him to become the deputy chief minister of Bihar.
Nitish Kumar takes oath as Bihar CM
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar took oath as NDA Chief Minister of the state, for the ninth time, at Raj Bhawan today. Two Deputy CMs from BJP Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha, six other ministers including Bijendra Prasad Yadav, Santosh Kumar Suman, Shrawan Kumar and others also took the oath today.
Nitish arrives at Raj Bhavan for oath ceremony
Bihar Chief Minister and JD(U) chief Nitish Kumar has arrived at Raj Bhavan for the oath ceremony. He will take the oath as Bihar CM for the ninth time after he, along with his party, joined the BJP-led NDA bloc.
Watch: BJP's Samrat Choudhary, Vijay Sinha at oath ceremony of new government
BJP's Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Sinha at the oath ceremony of the new government, in Raj Bhavan, Patna.
They are likely to take oath as Deputy Chief Ministers of Bihar.
Nitish to form govt with NDA: JP Nadda, Chirag Paswan arrive at Patna Airport ahead of oath-taking ceremony
BJP president JP Nadda and Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) chief Chirag Paswan have arrived at Patna Airport ahead of the oath-taking ceremony of JD (U) supremo Nitish Kumar.
Better late than never: Athawale on Nitish Kumar's switch to NDA
Union Minister Ramdas Athawale on Sunday expressed his approval of JD(U) President Nitish Kumar's decision to join the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), stating that it is "better late than never."
The Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment emphasised that Kumar's decision to become a part of the NDA was timely and appropriate.
“We had told Nitish ji not to go with Lalu Yadav (RJD chief) saying ‘they won't treat you well'. But better late than never... I had told him to align with Modi ji… Now, he has made the right decision, so I am thanking him,” Athawale told reporters.
Watch: Preparations underway at Raj Bhavan in Patna ahead of oath-taking ceremony
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar will take oath as NDA chief minister of the state at 5 pm at Raj Bhawan today.
Along with Kumar and two Deputy CMs from BJP Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha, six other ministers including Bijendra Prasad Yadav, Santosh Kumar Suman, Shrawan Kumar and others will also take the oath today.
I can give you in writing that JDU will be finished in 2024: Tejashwi Yadav
On JD(U) leader and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar joining NDA and breaking ties with RJD, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav said, "He was a tired CM. I can give you in writing that the JDU party will be finished in 2024. The public is with us..."
Nitish expert in betrayal; return to NDA-fold expected: JMM
The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), a constituent of the opposition INDIA alliance, criticised Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, labeling "betrayal" as his consistent political trait. The party asserted that the JD(U) leader seems uncertain about his political allegiance.
"Nitish Kumar's resignation was expected as betrayal has been his political character," JMM general secretary and spokesperson Supriyo Bhattacharya told PTI.
Bhattacharya said Kumar wanted to continue as CM and ultimately resorted to joining hands with the NDA.
Watch: 'Nitish sab ke hain' poster near CM's residence in Patna
A poster featuring Nitish Kumar with the caption 'Nitish sab ke hain' was put up near the CM's residence in Patna after Nitish Kumar resigned as CM and joined the BJP-led NDA bloc today.
Nitish Kumar to form govt in Bihar with NDA: Full list of cabinet ministers who will take oath today
Nitish Kumar, who resigned as Bihar Chief Minister on Sunday, is set to form a government in the state once again, this time in alliance with the BJP. The swearing-in ceremony of the new Bihar government will take place at 5 pm today.
While the BJP has chosen two deputy CMs — Vijay Sinha and Samrat Choudhary, here is the full list of ministers who will take oath today, forming the new Cabinet.
Nitish to form govt with NDA: Shashi Tharoor takes dig with 'word of the day' snollygoster
Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Sunday took a swipe at JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar over his latest volte-face after he walked out of the Mahagathbandhan government in Bihar, dubbing him as a “snollygoster” or a shrewd and unprincipled politician.
He shared his social media post from 2017 when Kumar had broken away from the Mahagathbandhan or the grand alliance in Bihar with the Rashtriya Janata Dal and Congress and returned to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) despite being foes for a long time.
I was the only person who on camera said that Nitish Kumar can change his side anytime: Prashant Kishor
Political strategist Prashant Kishor on Sunday said that he had predicted the likelihood of Nitish Kumar switching allegiances. He pointed out that Nitish Kumar is widely recognised as a 'palturam' and the 'sardar of palturams.'
"If you look back at my remarks over the past one year, then you would find out that I was the only person who on camera said that Nitish Kumar can change his side anytime. People already know that Nitish Kumar is a 'palturam' and 'sardar of palturams'. However, today's incident has shown that all politicians in Bihar are also 'palturam'," Kishor stated.
Samrat Choudhary: Nitish Kumar baiter who is now set to be his deputy
BJP state president and MLC Samrat Choudhary was on Sunday chosen the leader of the BJP’s legislature party, paving the way for him to likely become the deputy chief minister of Bihar.
In March last year, the then Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the Bihar Legislative Council had been picked by the BJP as its Bihar president. Choudhary (54), a Kushwaha OBC leader, was given the task to deliver the 2025 Assembly polls for the party.
Choudhary is one of the few BJP leaders who has regularly taken on Nitish Kumar. He often criticised the JD(U) supremo on “administrative lapses”, even when the BJP was part of the ruling alliance. Choudhary also used to back ideological positions of the BJP at the time, even at the expense of inviting the wrath of the JD(U).
Read more..
Watch: Celebrations outside BJP office in Patna as acting CM Nitish Kumar set to join NDA shortly
JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar resigned as Bihar Chief Minister on Sunday, saying "things were not working well" for him in the 'Mahagathbandhan' he had joined less than 18 months ago and in the opposition bloc INDIA.
Vijay Kumar Sinha – Likely new Bihar deputy CM who cut his teeth as an aggressive Speaker, LoP
As Nitish Kumar and his JD(U) return to the NDA fold to form a new government in Bihar, one of the two deputy chief ministers from the BJP is likely to be Vijay Kumar Sinha, the representative from Lakhisarai who is the current Leader of the Opposition (LoP). On Sunday, as a precursor to that, Sinha was elected as deputy leader of the BJP legislature party.
A Bhumihar leader, a civil engineer by qualification and a former RSS worker, Sinha had become the BJP’s first-ever Speaker in Bihar after the party came to power in alliance with the JD(U) in 2020. The 56-year-old was a surprise choice for the post, believed to have been picked essentially to keep the upper caste leadership of the party happy.
He pipped to the post-BJP veterans like Nand Kishore Yadav and Prem Kumar, whose names had been doing the rounds. A first-generation politician from a business family, he had boasted during his first election campaign in 2010 that he had enough money to sustain himself and that he had joined politics for social service and some recognition. What worked in Sinha’s favour to be named Speaker were his three terms as MLA (winning Lakhisarai consecutively since 2010) and earlier stint as labour resources minister. He was also seen to have been groomed by the most respected BJP face in Bihar and former Deputy CM Sushil Kumar Modi.
Watch: BJP workers celebrate in Patna as Samrat Choudhary becomes legislative party leader
State BJP president Samrat Choudhary was on Sunday named as leader of the legislative party.
Nitish Kumar's exit a gain for INDIA bloc, says DMK
Tamil Nadu's ruling DMK on Sunday said that Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's departure from the Mahagathbandhan alliance and subsequent alignment with the BJP represents a setback for the Saffron party and a favorable development for the opposition alliance.
Reacting Kumar's move, DMK spokesperson J Constandine Ravindran said, "People will never accept this act of betrayal."
Ravindran told PTI: "Though Kumar is a veteran leader in Bihar, he has completely lost credibility. He has no integrity. Integrity and credibility are very important for a leader."
Nitish Kumar is an experienced leader, but he keeps changing his political colour: Jairam Ramesh
At a press conference held after JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar's resignation, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh expressed his lack of surprise at the development.
"He is an experienced leader, but he keeps changing his political colour. People of Bihar will give him and his masters in Delhi a befitting reply," he said.
TMC slams Nitish Kumar for frequent 'political somersaults'
The TMC on Sunday criticised JD(U) president Nitish Kumar for his “repeated political somersaults”, particularly his withdrawal from the 'Mahagathbandhan' in Bihar. The party emphasised that the public would appropriately react to such opportunistic moves.
"Nitish Kumar is known for his political somersaults at regular intervals. It is unfortunate that he has decided to quit the opposition grouping INDIA and is likely to join the NDA. The people will give a befitting reply to such political opportunism," Trinamool Congress MP Sougata Roy was quoted as saying by PTI.
Nitish Kumar, Tejashwi Yadav, PM Modi should apologise to people of Bihar: AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi
Reacting to the political developments in Bihar, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi said, "Nitish Kumar, Tesjaswi Yadav and PM Modi should apologise to the people of Bihar... All three have betrayed the people of Bihar, especially Nitish Kumar... The term political opportunism will be an understatement, Nitish Kumar has broken all records."
"I want to ask Tejashwi Yadav how does it feel? He took away four of our MLAs. Does he feel the same pain now? He has been played the same way he played us," Owaisi said.
"Nitish Kumar wants to be the CM for as long as he lives. BJP just wants everything to themselves, by hook or by crook... The people of Bihar have been betrayed. There is no development in Bihar," he added.
Meanwhile, Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra to enter Bihar tomorrow
With the political turmoil in the state, Bihar is set to welcome Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra.
Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh has said that Nitish Kumar's flip-flip -- though not surprising -- was engineered to distract the public from the yatra.
Congress throws ‘Aya Ram, Gaya Ram’ jibe at Nitish, but fears its chances of bettering 2019 tally hit
The journey of the Opposition INDIA alliance began at his official residence seven months ago. As Nitish Kumar walked out of the alliance Sunday to return to the BJP-led NDA, the leaders of the embattled Opposition coalition were clearly at their wits’ end despite sensing the Bihar situation over the last few days.
Congress leaders feel the BJP is working overtime to ensure that the party remains where it is now in terms of the Lok Sabha numbers. If the alliance had properly materialised in Bihar and Bengal, the Congress – which is confident of the DMK-led coalition doing well in Tamil Nadu and the party making major gains in Karnataka and Telangana – hoped to add some more seats to it kitty. That hopes may have been virtually dashed now. Read Manoj C G's report
In Nitish Kumar's exit, a bigger setback for Congress
Virtually wiped out of the Hindi heartland in the last round of Assembly elections, the Congress was banking on the Mahagathbandhan (grand alliance) in Bihar and a seat-sharing pact with the Samajwadi Party in Uttar Pradesh to prevent the BJP's juggernaut in the two states.
With Nitish walking away and rejoining the NDA, there is now uncertainty about the INDIA bloc's electoral fate in Bihar. In UP, too, SP chief Akhilesh Yadav has offered Congress 11 seats, while the party was hoping for more.
With Mamata Banerjee unrelenting on seat-sharing in Bengal, and Bhagwant Mann refusing an alliance in Punjab, the Congress has pushed into an uneasy corner.
Chirag Paswan: 'Happy NDA is coming to power in Bihar... have disagreed with Nitish Kumar in past'
Lok Janshakti Party leader Chirag Paswan said he will be attending the oath-taking ceremony at 5 pm today, adding that he was happy the NDA is coming to power in Bihar.
He said that Bihar will see the ideology that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has towards development and LJP's 'Bihar first, Bihari first' vision.
"I have disagreed with Nitish Kumar over his policies in the past, and I will continue to disagree if works goes on over his policies," Paswan added.
Nitish Kumar giving tough competition to chameleons in changing colours: Jairam Ramesh
Reacting to Nitish Kumar's exit from the INDIA bloc, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said, "Nitish Kumar, who frequently changes political partners, is giving tough competition to the chameleons in changing colours."
"It is quite clear that the Prime Minister and the BJP are scared of the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra and this political drama has been created to divert attention from it," Ramesh posted on X.
Nitish Kumar, 2 Deputy CMs meet Bihar Governor, stake claim to form govt
Nitish Kumar met Bihar Governor Rajendra Arlekar along with Vijay Sinha and Samrat Choudhary, who would be sworn in as the Deputy CMs, as well as other leaders of the NDA, to stake claim to form the government in the state.
The swearing-in ceremony of the new Bihar government will take place at 5 pm today.
Nitish Kumar's credibility 'finished', his exit 'will not weaken INDIA': Bhupesh Baghel
Congress leader and former Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel Sunday hit out at Nitish Kumar, saying his credibility is now "finished".
Baghel was appointed as the senior observer for all party matters in Bihar ahead of Nitish's break up with RJD.
"Seeing Nitish Kumar's activities, people had doubts that he would do something and he did so. This will not weaken (INDIA bloc)," Baghel said.
Bihar governor accepts formation of NDA govt
Bihar Governor Rajendra Arlekar has accepted the formation of the NDA government in Bihar after Nitish Kumar submitted his resignation this morning.
The BJP has chosen two deputy CMs — Vijay Sinha and Samrat Choudhary. The swearing-in ceremony of the new Bihar government will take place at 5 pm today, BJP national secretary Vinod Tawde said.
Nitish Kumar: The perennial survivor, leader of all seasons
Nitish Kumar’s move to dump the Mahagathbandhan (grand alliance) to cross over to the NDA marked the fourth time in just over a decade that he has switched sides.
At 72, Nitish, who is taking over as the CM now for a record ninth time, is a veteran socialist and a prominent product of the JP Movement of 1974-75. He has come a long way from the political years he spent in the shadow of, first, Lalu Prasad, and then George Fernandes in the Samata Party, which the two had founded in 1994.
Nitish is no stranger to switching sides. The first time the eight-term Bihar CM, adept at the game of political survival, took his party to the Opposition camp was in June 2013 when he severed ties with the BJP on the ground that the NDA should have a leader with a “clean and secular image”. Read more
Nitish Kumar's deputy Vijay Sinha has had frequent run-ins with the CM
While Vijay Kumar Sinha has been chosen as one of the Deputy CMs, he has a history of run-ins with Nitish Kumar, who is set to form the government in Bihar once again, this time with the BJP.
A Bhumihar leader, an engineer by qualification and a dedicated RSS worker, Sinha is the BJP’s first-ever Bihar Speaker. He was a surprise choice for the post, and believed to have been picked essentially to keep the upper caste leadership of the party happy.
In one instance of tension between them, Nitish had taken exception to Sinha omitting his name in the invitations sent out to mark anniversary celebrations of the Bihar Vidhan Sabha. As per JD(U) sources, that was one of the triggers for Nitish to end his alliance with the BJP. Read from archives
'Happy that JD(U)-BJP will form govt together': Sushil Kumar Modi
Former Deputy CM Sushil Kumar Modi said that he welcomed Nitish Kumar's resignation and he was happy that JD(U) and BJP will form the government together.
"We knew that the RJD-JDU alliance was an unnatural alliance and would not last long," he said. Modi added that the BJP could not have done anything till Nitish Kumar decided to resign. "He then asked for the BJP's support, and we gave it," he said.
Watch | Samrat Choudhary, Vijay Sinha arrive at Nitish Kumar's residence
Vijay Sinha and Samrat Choudhary have been chosen as the two new deputy chief ministers of Bihar.
Bihar to have two new Deputy CMs: Vijay Sinha and Samrat Choudhary
BJP leaders Vijay Sinha and Samrat Choudhary have been chosen as the two new deputy chief ministers of Bihar. The swearing-in ceremony of the new Bihar government will take place at 4 pm today.
Earlier in the day, Bihar BJP MLAs unanimously passed a proposal to form a government in the state with JD(U) and other allies. Samrat Choudhary was elected as the Leader of the legislative party and Vijay Sinha was elected as the Deputy Leader.
'Aaya Ram, Gaya Ram': Congress chief Kharge on Nitish Kumar resigning
Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge Sunday hit out at Nitish Kumar saying, "There are many people like this in the country. Aaya Ram, Gaya Ram (They come and go)"
Kharge added that Tejashwi Yadav and Lalu Prasad had already hinted that Nitish would jump ship, and now it has become true.
'I have left INDIA alliance', Nitish Kumar says
Responding to media queries shortly after he resigned as Bihar CM, Nitish Kumar asserted that he has left the INDIA alliance.
He said that no work was being done for the alliance, despite all the effort he had put in.
'Ram in Ayodhya and Paltu Ram in Bihar': Shiv Sena's Sanjay Raut
In a scathing attack on Nitish Kumar, shortly after he resigned as Bihar CM, seeking to form a government with the BJP, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut, who is also a part of the INDIA bloc, called him a "Paltu Ram".
"There is Ram in Ayodhya and Paltu Ram in Bihar. The BJP and Amit Shah himself had called Nitish Paltu Ram when he had joined hands with Lalu. Shah had said that BJP's doors are closed for Nitish Kumar. Now what happened to that? The BJP people are the bigger Paltu Ram," Raut said.
"Nitish Kumar is sick. He has a problem of forgetting... Now he has lost his memory. Once he regains it, he will rejoin the INDIA," Raut added.
Nitish’s flip-flop, flip-flop: Numbers show it has always paid JD(U) to ride BJP coattails in LS
The JD(U) and BJP make for a tried-and-tested alliance that fared well in the 2019 general elections and the 2020 Assembly polls.
In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the NDA in Bihar comprised the BJP, JD(U) and Lok Janshakti Party (LJP). Of the 40 parliamentary seats in the state, the BJP and JD(U) each contested 17 seats and the LJP six seats. With a combined vote share of 54.34%, the alliance swept the state, winning 39 of the 40 seats.
The Congress, in fact, hasn’t been a major player in Bihar’s Lok Sabha polls since 1984. Read more
Nitish Kumar to form govt with BJP: Where do current numbers in Bihar Assembly stand?
In the current 243-member Bihar Assembly, Nitish Kumar-led JD(U) has 45 MLAs and the BJP 78, taking the combine’s tally to 123. With one more Independent expected to support them, the alliance will cross the 122-member majority mark.
The RJD along with the Congress and the Left parties have a combined 114 MLAs, eight short of a majority.