On August 24, Nitish Kumar of the Janata Dal (United), who has been sworn in as the chief minister of Bihar for the eighth time and is ready to begin his fifth term, will face a floor test to demonstrate his party’s majority in the assembly.
Following the announcement of a new “grand coalition” with Tejashwi Yadav of the RJD, who also took the oath as deputy chief minister, the JD(U) leader took the oath for the eighth time. On August 9, Kumar ended his partnership with the BJP. He then submitted his resignation.
Nitish Kumar declared that he will establish a new government with the backing of the opposition Grand Alliance after his acts. On Tuesday, Kumar joined forces with the BJP’s political rivals RJD in the Mahagathbandhan, claiming that the latter was attempting to split the JD(U). He claimed that his party’s leader made the decision to end the coalition with the BJP with unanimous support.
“The party made the decision together (to leave BJP). I did not want to be the Chief Minister after the previous election. But a lot of pressure was put on me to handle the post. When there were talks with them (points towards Tejashwi Yadav), the decision was made. whether I will stay or not (till 2024)…they can say what they want, but I will not live in the year 2014,” Kumar said.
Right outside the governor’s residence, Nitish addressed the media and declared that “all his MPs and MLAs reached a consensus” to leave the NDA. After making the statement, he went to Rabri Devi’s house and was seen with Tejashwi, suggesting a partnership with his party. The pair stated that they had reached an agreement following lengthy negotiations and alliance parleys.
After leaving the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and taking office as chief minister of Bihar, Nitish Kumar immediately called for an organised opposition ahead of the 2024 general elections.
Further, taking a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, 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)”.