'Would Have Told Everything To BJP': Nitish Kumar On HAM, Clarifies 2024 Polls Remark

Bihar CM Nitish Kumar alleged that the HAM would have revealed details of the Opposition's discussion to the BJP had they attended the key meeting next week.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Friday spoke about Jitan Ram Manjhi-led Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) after the state's ruling Mahagathbandhan slammed its doors on the party. He confirmed asking Manjhi to either merge HAM with his Janata Dal (United) or part ways after the former chief minister blamed him for his son Santosh Suman's exit from the state cabinet due to the said condition. CM Nitish also clarified his remarks speculating about early elections for Lok Sabha slated to be held in 2024.

On HAM, CM Nitish Kumar told media persons, "I asked them to either merge the party or part ways (from the mahagathbandhan). They decided to quit the alliance. Had they been in the 'mahagathbandhan' and attended the June 23 meeting, they would have told everything that will be discussed there to the BJP."

"The central government has the majority and can obviously prepone the Lok Sabha elections. They (BJP) might think that the opposition unity may affect them in the coming time, so it can get the (Lok Sabha) polls preponed," he remarked on Lok Sabha elections, as quoted by news agency PTI.

He further clarified he wasn't predicting the 2014 Lok Sabha polls to happen early, but merely suggesting the possibility of early elections.

The remarks came after JD(U) MLA Ratnesh Sada was sworn in as minister in the Bihar cabinet today. The oath of office and secrecy was administered to Sada by Bihar Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar at the Raj Bhavan.

Sada is a three-time MLA from the Sonbarsa (SC) seat. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav, and several other dignitaries were present at the swearing-in ceremony. 

Earlier in the week, CM Nitish Kumar asserted that the possibility of early Lok Sabha polls could not be ruled out.

Addressing engineers and other department officials via video conferencing, the Bihar Chief Minister said, "I have been told pending works will be complete by January, 2024. I would say, try completing these before that. You never know when elections may be announced." 

"Elections may not necessarily take place next year. These could be held earlier," he added, as per PTI.

The JD(U) leader's efforts to forge opposition unity have resulted in leaders opposed to the BJP agreeing to visit Patna next week and chalk out a common strategy.

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