Bihar Crisis Highlights: Came Back To Where I Was, No Question Of Going Anywhere Else, Says Nitish
Bihar Political Crisis Highlights: As Nitish Kumar keeps the nation on the edge over his next move, stay with ABP Live for all the breaking news and latest updates on the Bihar political crisis.
“Nitish Kumar is one of the most unreliable leaders. He himself initiated 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,” former Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel told PTI.
"I express my happiness on the new experiment of Bihar government. An atmosphere of uncertainty that was prevailing has come to an end. We have earlier also worked with the BJP...We have had a good experience working with them," JD(U) leader KC Tyagi told ANI.
"I express my gratitude to Honorable Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his good wishes and thank him wholeheartedly for his cooperation. A new government has been formed in Bihar with the NDA alliance...With the NDA coalition government at the Center and the state, development work will gain momentum," Nitish Kumar tweeted.
"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," Nitish Kumar said.
"This is a natural alliance and people gave the mandate to this alliance only...Now Bihar will develop and NDA will win all 40 Lok Sabha seats," RLJD Chief Upendra Kushwaha told ANI.
“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,” Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) chief Chirag Paswan said.
"We will win all 40 Lok Sabha seats in Bihar. In 2020 we won the elections and defeated Lalu Yadav's family and will do the same in future also," newly-elected Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary said.
"Congratulations to Nitish Kumar on taking oath as the Chief Minister of Bihar and Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Sinha on taking oath as Deputy Chief Minister. My best wishes to this new team to start a new chapter of development and public welfare in Bihar," tweeted Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
Independent MLA Sumit Kumar Singh takes oath as a minister in the new Nitish Kumar-led government
Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) president Dr Santosh Kumar Suman takes oath as a minister in the new Nitish Kumar-led government
JDU's Shrawon Kumar takes oath as a minister in the new Nitish Kumar-led government
BJP'sPrem Kumar takes oath as a minister in the new Nitish Kumar-led government
JDU's Bijendra Prasad Yadav takes oath as a minister in the new Nitish Kumar-led government
JDU's Vijay Kumar Chaudhary takes oath as a minister in new Nitish Kumar-led government
BJP leader Vijay Sinha takes oath as a cabinet minister
BJP's Samrat Choudhary takes oath as a Cabinet Minister
Nitish Kumar takes oath as Bihar CM for the 9th time after he along with his party joined the BJP-led NDA bloc
BJP's Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Sinha at the oath ceremony of the new government, in Raj Bhavan in Patna
JD(U) President and acting Bihar CM Nitish Kumar arrives at Raj Bhavan. He will take oath as Bihar CM for the 9th time after he along with his party joined the BJP-led NDA bloc.
“It is a very important day for Bihar. BJP is forming government with JD(U) keeping in mind the welfare and development of Biharis. In the last 15 years, RJD had established jungle raj and were not allowing Nitish ji to work,” says Union MoS and BJP leader Nityanand Rai.
"When Nitish Kumar was with us, he used to say that so much work is being done. Have you ever seen Nitish Kumar distributing appointment letters before? It was us who made him distribute appointment letters, and later the central government also followed us. We extend our congratulations to the BJP. "INDIA alliance is strong. Jo hota hai ache ke liye hota hai," Tejashwi Yadav told ANI.
"Nitish Kumar's resignation as Bihar CM is not surprising. 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," says Congress leader Jairam Ramesh.
Nitish Kumar submits BJP's letter of support to Governor Rajendra Arlekar, Governor accepts the letter.
BJP Spokesperson Sumit Shashank says, "...Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Sinha to be the Deputy Chief Ministers of Bihar..."
JD(U) leader KC Tyagi says, " ...Congress wanted to steal the leadership of INDIA alliance. In the meeting that took place on 19th December, through a conspiracy, to get the leadership of INDIA alliance, Mallikarjun Kharge's name was proposed (as PM face), earlier in the meeting that took place in Mumbai, it was unanimously decided that without any PM face, INDIA alliance will work...through a conspiracy, Mamata Banerjee was made to propose Kharge's name as PM face...all other parties have made their own identity by fighting against Congress...Congress kept dragging the seat sharing, we kept saying that seat sharing needs to happen immediately...INDIA lacked plans to fight against BJP"
BJP National General Secretary Vinod Tawde says, "...In the legislative party meeting...all MLAs unanimously passed the proposal to form the NDA government in Bihar with BJP, JD(U) and other NDA allies for the welfare of the people in the state. Samrat Chaudhary has been elected as the Leader of the legislative party, Vijay Sinha elected as the Deputy Leader."
"Today, I have resigned as the Chief Minister and I have also told the Governor to dissolve the government in the state," says JD(U) president Nitish Kumar
Bihar CM Nitish Kumar hands over resignation to Governor Rajendra Arlekar
Bihar CM and JD(U) president Nitish Kumar leaves from his residence in Patna.
The BJP legislative party meeting in Patna, Bihar concludes, ANI reported.
At the meeting of the party leaders in Patna, all JD(U) leaders authorised CM and party president Nitish Kumar to take any decision.
On the current political situation in Bihar, Congress MP Jairam Ramesh says, "... Nitish Kumar called the first meeting of 18 opposition parties in Patna on 23rd June 2023. The second meeting was held in Bengaluru on 17th-18th July 2023. Then again on 31st August-1st September in Mumbai. Nitish Kumar played a prominent role in all three meetings, so we were considering Nitish Kumar to fight the BJP and its ideology till the very end..."
On the current political situation in Bihar, Union Minister Giriraj Singh says, "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. 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..."
Former Bihar BJP president Sanjay Jaiswal arrives at the party office in Patna, for a meeting of party leaders.
On speculations around Nitish Kumar, he says, "...The most important goal of the state working committee is to line up the preparations for the next one month..."
JD(U) MLAs begin arriving at Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's house for a meeting.
MLA Ram Singh says, "Meetings are going on Lok Sabha elections. The decision that comes from the top will be implemented. JP Nadda is coming here...We will win all 40 seats..."
On JD(U) leader KC Tyagi's statement for INDIA Alliance, party MLC Neeraj Kumar said, "...It is true that we were working in the INDIA Alliance for last 1.5 years. The meetings started from Patna...We were always active in the meetings and expressed our views. But (they said) "there is a lot of time", "do seat sharing discussions take place in haste?" - We will tell you about the power sharing."
JD(U) MLC Neeraj Kumar says, "Rahul Gandhi of the Congress party has the right to take out a padayatra but the results of that padayatra - when he went to Bengal, Mamata Banerjee was sidelined and now when he is about to enter Bihar, the political scenario is changing here. So, Rahul Gandhi should do some self-introspection that where is his strategy failing so that wherever he goes, the allies start drifting apart."
JD(U) MLAs to have a meeting this morning, in Patna, ANI reported.
BJP head JP Nadda would visit Patna today, as JD(U) Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is expected to resign. The state BJP has also called a meeting today to discuss the developments.
Nitish Kumar is likely to address a meeting of JD(U) legislators around 10 am today before going to Raj Bhavan to submit his resignation, news agency PTI reported quoting party sources.
Amid rumours that Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar may switch sides by withdrawing his party JD(U) from the 'mahagathbandhan', BJP MP Radha Mohan Das Agrawal has stated that the INDIA Alliance may also break down in Maharashtra.
"INDIA Alliance will break in Maharashtra too. This was a strategic posturing by the Congress to show that the party was solely standing against the BJP and PM Modi, and Rahul Gandhi was the only opposition," Agrawal said on Saturday
In New Delhi, Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) leader Chirag Paswan "strongly" addressed his party's concerns and obtained "assurances" in a meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP President JP Nadda on Saturday, amid widespread speculation that Nitish Kumar might reunite with his erstwhile ally. Paswan told reporters that he would wait to see whether the JD(U) president joins the BJP-led alliance before deciding his party's position on the topic. The late Ram Vilas Paswan's son declined to share what Shah and Nadda informed him regarding state political happenings.
Patna: On Bihar's political situation, BJP Bihar President Samrat Chaudhary says, " Nitish Kumar has not resigned and nobody has withdrawn support, if something happens, then only we will have any information...BJP wants to know the situation of Bihar and then only we will take a decision."
Patna: Bihar Ministers Vijay Kumar Choudhary and Dr Ashok Choudhary leave from CM Nitish Kumar's residence after JD(U) meeting.
Bihar Minister and RJD leader Alok Kumar Mehta says, "A meeting of party MLAs was held today. In the meeting, all the MLAs authorised party chief Lalu Prasad Yadav to take a decision on the current situation."
A meeting of Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) MLAs is underway at the residence of party leader Jitan Ram Manjhi, in Patna.
BJP MP Rajiv Pratap Rudy arrived at party office in Patna for party’s legislative meeting amidst political turmoil in Bihar.
BJP MP Chhedi Paswan said,"I had said earlier also that Nitish Kumar can go anywhere for the post. He is coming for the post and that is why this meeting is taking place. If my party leaders are satisfied then we are also satisfied."
On INDIA alliance and Bihar political situation, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi says, " This alliance is unnatural...something that is unnatural can't survive long. So, automatically this unnatural alliance will have a natural death...whatever is happening in Bihar, we have no role in it, the differences that are happening, it is because of them only...some of the most corrupt parties are part of INDIA alliance...Nitish Kumar doesn't want to be with them now."
On Bihar political situation, RJD MP Dr Misa Bharti says, " I have no idea right now..whatever is going on in News that is only thing, other than that nobody has said anything...whenever RJD comes to power, we have worked for the people of Bihar and we will keep working for them in the future also".
Amid growing uncertainty over the political situation in Bihar as speculations mount on Nitish Kumar’s possible return to NDA, the Congress on Saturday said there is no possibility of the I.N.D.I.A bloc collapse although the BJP is trying to cause “mini implosions”. The party also said those who are “interested in saving democracy” will remain a part of the Opposition alliance.
Addressing the media, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said party president Mallikarjun Kharge tried to speak to Nitish several times but was unable to contact.
RJD MLA Ritlal Yadav said, "In the meeting, we discussed the preparations for the Lok Sabha elections. We will win all 40 Lok Sabha seats."
Patna: RJD MP Manoj Kumar Jha said, "A positive meeting was held. Discussion on several things was done. All the issues whether from the national or state level, everything were discussed during the meeting. It was a legislature meeting, Lalu Yadav, Dy CM (Tejashwi Yadav) all MLAs, everyone was present. We all have authorised Lalu Yadav to take the decision."
Bihar BJP core committee meeting concludes, in Patna. "Nitish Kumar is still the CM and Tejashwi Yadav is the Deputy CM, what can I say on this...," says Union Minister Giriraj Singh
"We are monitoring the situation in Bihar," says Bihar BJP chief Samrat Choudhary as suspense over Nitish Kumar's return to NDA continues.
During the Rashtriya Janata Dal meeting, it was revealed that the party is unwilling to shoulder the responsibility of bringing down the government in Bihar, as per ABP News sources. Instead, they might position themselves as victims in the eyes of the public, the sources further stated.
Congress has postponed the meeting of its MLAs till Sunday.
Janata Dal (United) spokesperson KC Tyagi said: “Nitish Kumar never hankered after a position in the alliance but a section of the Congress leadership repeatedly insulted him.”
Tyagi adds he (Nitish Kumar) could not see as to how the INDIA bloc parties could fight the "all-powerful" BJP, reports PTI.
"...NDA has the numbers. Earlier too, NDA had the numbers and govt was formed under the leadership of Nitish Kumar. In the interest of Bihar, the government should be formed again by forming an alliance...," said JD (U) leader Sunil Kumar Pintu as quoted by news agency ANI.
"All of us want to know what's the situation in Bihar. Everything will be cleared in sometime," said LJP leader Chirag Paswan after he meets with Union Home Minister Amit Shah amidst Bihar political turmoil.
Mamata Banerjee, Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress leader, has spoken out amid Bihar's political turmoil caused by speculation over the JDU's resignation from its coalition with the RJD for state administration. According to a source close to Mamata Banerjee, CM stated that JDU leader and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's withdrawal from the INDIA bloc would be 'good riddance,' as reported by The Telegraph.
"Didi thinks that if Nitish Kumar leaves the INDIA bloc, which is a certainty now, it would be good riddance," the source added, citing off-the-record conversations the Trinamool president held with journalists and close aides at Raj Bhavan on Friday evening.
"If Nitish ji thinks that not Mahagathbandhan, but the country should get a new govt under PM Modi, then BJP's doors are open for such people even till a day before the elections," Jaiswal said.
"(Bihar CM) Nitish Kumar has built an image where everyone keeps guessing and estimating which alliance he will join and when. However, the signs indicate that Nitish is not comfortable with RJD at all, it seems like he's suffocated there (in Grand Alliance or Mahagathbandhan)," says former Union Minister Upendra Kushwaha on the buzz over Nitish Kumar's return to NDA fold amid rift in INDIA bloc.
There will be a meeting of BJP Legislators and all office bearers today at party office at 4 pm.
On the current political situation in Bihar, Union Minister Giriraj Singh said, "We will form government in Bihar in 2025. People of Bihar will vote for BJP in Lok Sabha in 2024, and in Bihar in 2025. I am just observing what's going on in the state..."
The Congress, BJP and RJD have called separate meetings regarding the potential political crisis in Bihar. Union home minister Amit Shah, meanwhile, arrived at the BJP Central Office Extension to attend a meeting regarding Bihar, reported ANI.
On the current political situation in Bihar, RJD MP Manoj Kumar Jha says, "All this is a rumour. And the restlessness which has arisen due to this rumour can only be taken care of by CM Nitish Kumar... Bihar is a topic of discussion in the whole country, and for good reason. I don't see any rift. In the end, the head of this 'mahagathbandhan' is Nitish Kumar. Lalu Prasad and Tejaswi Yadav laid the foundation, the purpose of which was to defeat the hate politics being done by PM Modi..."
Speaking with ANI, Bihar RJD leader Mrityunjay Tiwari said, "Nitish-Tejashwi government is working strongly in Bihar and it will continue to do so. This government is working for the benefit of Bihar. When there is no distance between their hearts, then the distance between the chairs does not matter...The BJP is scared about 2024 (general elections) and this is why they are opening doors for all...The current state of confusion should be brought to an end."
On Bihar political situation, BJP state in-charge Vinod Tawde says, "There is a meeting of Bihar BJP leaders to discuss the upcoming Lok Sabha elections." The state executive meeting of Bihar BJP has been called on 27th and 28th January in Patna.
On Bihar political situation, JD (U) MLC Neeraj Kumar says, "Nitish Kumar ji is the elected CM of the state. He does not aspire for any post. Those who have confusion in their mind should know better. Who can target those who have the arrow in their own hands?..."
On the current political situation in Bihar, Congress leader Prem Chandra Mishra says, "The people in power should end this situation of confusion and bring clarity...For us, Nitish ji is still a part of the INDIA alliance."
Background
Bihar Political Crisis Highlights: Janta Dal (United) Chief Nitish Kumar on Sunday tendered his resignation as Bihar's Chief Minister to Governor Rajendra Arlekar, thus ending his 18-month ruling coalition with Lalu Prasad Yadav's Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and the Congress. An official told PTI that government offices, including the secretariat, had been asked to remain open on Sunday "in view of hectic activity expected during the day," which might lead to a new administration with the BJP's support.
Kumar was ready to quit the Mahagathbandhan, which he had joined less than 18 months earlier, and inflict a mortal blow to the opposition alliance INDIA, according to a source close to him, with the JD(U) president expected to resign on Sunday and a new state government in place by the evening with BJP backing.
K C Tyagi, the party's political adviser and spokesperson, warned reporters in Delhi that Bihar's grand coalition government is on the verge of collapse, accusing a portion of the Congress leadership of continually "insulting" Kumar.
According to ABP News sources, the number of ministers in the government would be selected using the traditional system. JDU Lok Sabha seats would be reduced, with the party expected to receive only 12 to 15 seats in the lower chamber. According to insiders, the decision has been made to accommodate the remaining NDA alliance partners. The BJP intends to retain the majority of its cabinet members, but fresh faces will be given a chance.
The Deputy Chief Minister is expected to change. Earlier, Tarkishore Yadav and Renu Devi were appointed Deputy Chief Ministers. The cabinet composition will also follow the same formula. Along with the BJP and JDU, additional coalition partners like as the Rashtriya Lok Samata Party (RLSP) and Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) are expected to be included in the Cabinet.
The Bihar chief minister has recently expressed his dissatisfaction with the INDIA bloc after failing to get a seat in the alliance's senior leadership despite his extensive political experience.
Speculation of an RJD-JDU schism spread when RJD supremo Lalu Yadav's daughter Rohini Acharya stated of Kumar on an X post that he is "changing his ideology as the wind changes its direction".
On the political situation in the state, Bihar BJP MLA Gyanendra Singh Gyanu said that a change is certain and it is just a matter of time now. He further said that everything will be sorted in two days and will there will be NDA government in Bihar.
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