PATNA, July 27:
Nitish Kumar once again took over as Chief Minister of Bihar with BJP’s support today, leaving the opposition’s grand alliance in tatters and raising questions over its ability to counter the saffron party in the 2019 general elections.
A little more than 12 hours after 66-year-old Kumar resigned to break ranks with his allies — Lalu Yadav’s RJD party and the Congress — he was back in office after being sworn in by Bihar Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi at the Raj Bhawan.
Senior BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi was also sworn in, and will be the Deputy Chief Minister.
The deft political manoeuvres by Janata Dal (United) chief Kumar left the opposition stunned as he joined hands with friend-turned-foe-turned-friend BJP. The two parties were in alliance until 2013, when Kumar walked out of the NDA fold after Narendra Modi became the Prime Ministerial candidate.
However, Kumar, who was seen by the opposition as a possible answer to Modi in 2019 amid shrinking Congress clout, seems to have accepted the popular thinking that the Modi-wave will continue even after two years.
The Governor has asked Kumar to prove his majority on the floor of the House tomorrow.
“Whatever decision we have taken will be in the interest of Bihar and of its people. It will ensure development and justice,” Kumar told reporters after the swearing-in.
“This is a collective decision. I ensure that our commitment is towards the people of Bihar,” he said.
Union Health Minister J P Nadda and BJP leader Anil Jain were present at the brief ceremony where only Kumar and Sushil Modi were sworn in.
Immediately after the swearing-in, the JD(U) announced that it will support the BJP-led NDA Government in both the Houses of Parliament. (PTI)
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