PM Modi endorses Nitish as Bihar CM

Vibha Sharma

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, November 11

PM Narendra Modi today endorsed JD(U) chief Nitish Kumar as NDA’s leader in Bihar. Addressing party workers during the victory celebrations at the BJP office here, he said the NDA would work for the people of Bihar under his leadership.

“Under the leadership of Nitish Kumar ji, we will leave no stone unturned to meet our commitment to the state’s development,” he said. Sources indicated that no major changes were expected n the power-sharing arrangement between the two allies, despite the saffron party emerging the bigger player in Bihar. The government formation was expected to be initiated post Diwali, the sources said.

• EDIT: Challenges in Bihar

The PM set the tone for the elections in West Bengal and Kerala, saying: “Those who cannot challenge us are targeting our cadre…. I want to tell them, don’t give me any ‘chetavni’ (warning).... In a democracy, bloodbath cannot win elections.”

Thanking women voters in Bihar, he said the “silent nari shakti” had contributed to the NDA’s poll success. Not naming any party, the PM attacked dynasty politics.” Internal democracy has to be maintained which is why I say Nadda ji aage bado, hum tumhare saath hain (Nadda ji, march ahead. We are with you).”

Crediting BJP’s electoral success to “sabka saath, sabka vikas, sabka vishwas”, he said the results proved that “if you work with honesty, you will get the blessings of the people.The electorate is saying this again and again. Those who do not understand, you know what has happened to them…. they have lost their deposit.” The PM thanked JP Nadda, who received a standing ovation from top leaders for his first big wins as BJP president.