After taking oath as chief minister of Bihar on Wednesday, 10 August, Janata Dal (United) chief Nitish Kumar cast doubt over Narendra Modi reoccupying the prime ministerial post in 2024.
Kumar said, "Those who came to power in 2014, will they be victorious in 2024?" and further added that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) "can say what they want, but I will not live in the year 2014."
Marking his eighth stint as CM, Kumar took oath alongside Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Tejashwi Yadav, who was sworn in as the deputy CM.
This came a day after Nitish Kumar called off the Janata Dal (United)-BJP coalition and announced a 'Mahagathbandan' of seven parties, with RJD as the prime partner.
Meanwhile, the BJP is out on the streets in Patna, protesting against the new alliance.
Amid the oath-taking ceremony and protests within the state, here are the top developments:
Speaking to reporters, shortly after the oath-taking ceremony, on his aspirations to occupy the prime minister’s post, Nitish Kumar said, "Those who came to power in 2014, will they be victorious in 2024? I would like all (opposition) to be united for 2024. I am not a contender for any such post (on PM post)."
Ahead of the oath-taking ceremony, CM Nitish Kumar reportedly called RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav on the phone and briefed him on all the political developments in the state. Lalu Prasad Yadav congratulated him and appreciated his decision.
Bihar Deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav told ANI, "Bihar did what country needs to do. We have shown them a way. Our fight has been against unemployment. Our CM felt pain of the poor and youth. We will give bumper jobs within one month to poor and youth, it will be something so grand that it has never happened before."
Further, the Congress is likely to get four ministerial berths in the new government in Bihar as per sources. Moreover, the Congress has also sought the post of speaker of the state Assembly, but Kumar is not keen on awarding that, the sources added.
Taking a dig at the BJP, RJD leader and RS MP Manoj Jha said that "It is not only a government that will take oath, it is 'ghar wapasi' of 2017-2020 mandate. It's very important, especially in an era where BJP has decided to mangle democratic values - that only they would remain. Bihar gave a message. It's an oath of people of Bihar."
Meanwhile, the BJP announced protests against Nitish Kumar from Wednesday onwards. The Saffron party out on the streets to protest at the party’s state headquarters. All the party’s MLAs, MLCs, and national and state leaders will be present. A meeting of party leaders was also been called at 4.30 pm.
On Wednesday, BJP leader Sushil Modi held a press conference and attacked CM Nitish Kumar claiming that he was "too ambitious" and "will ditch even the RJD." He also claimed that RCP Singh's appointment as the Union Minister was done after consultation with Kumar and that he is "lying" to take political advantage.
Union Minister and BJP leader Giriraj Singh said after Nitish's oath-taking ceremony on Wednesday, "Today 'Palturam' became 'Kalturam'. I came to know that Lalu Yadav congratulated him (Nitish Kumar). Lalu Yadav once tweeted that he is a snake, like a snake sheds its skin, he sheds his alliance and takes a new one every two years."
MoS Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and BJP MP from Bihar, Nityanand Rai said, "In the 1974 agitation (Bihar movement), youth sacrificed their lives - Nitish Kumar betrayed their blood by forging an alliance with Congress and RJD. What does it mean to compromise with 15-year-long terror and anarchy?"
Meanwhile, Poll strategist Prashant Kishor said, "Nitish Kumar has said that he is starting a new chapter. I hope he fulfills the aspirations of the people of Bihar." Kishor further said, "Since 2013-14, this is the 6th attempt to form government in Bihar. Formations are changed when one's political or administrative expectations are not fulfilled."
(With inputs from ANI.)
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