NDA Bihar govt to take oath on Friday

Nitish Kumar-led JD(U)-BJP alliance attained a three-fourth majority in Bihar on Wednesday, bagging 183 of the 243-Assembly seats while still leading in 23 places.
JD(U) on its own won 99 seats, while its electoral ally BJP snapped up 84 of the 141 and 102 seats, they contested respectively.Reducing the opposition to tatters, the NDA partners improved their performance considerably compared to the last elections in 2005, when they together won 143 seats.

The RJD-LJP alliance steered by Lalu Prasad and Ram Vilas Paswan ate humble pie and secured just 18 seats and was leading in ten other places. They had 64 seats last time.To add to RJD's humiliation, former chief minister and Prasad's wife Rabri Devi lost at Sonepur in Saran district to nearest BJP rival and was trailing in Raghopur.
The Congress suffered a major electoral setback as it won only four seats and was ahead in three compared to the nine seats it held in 2005. The CPI won one seat.
Reacting to the people's verdict, Kumar said, "We have no magic wand, but people's trust. I will need to work harder than I did in the last five years and I will not hesitate to do it. The outcome of the elections also proves beyond doubt that it was a victory for development and for the people of the state."

The poll verdict, he said, would disappoint those doing politics on the basis of caste and the outcome would mark a "new story" in Bihar and have effect outside the state."The trends are positive and reflects that those making false claims or promises will face the music," he said.Without naming RJD chief Lalu Prasad who had criticised the exit polls predicting victory for the NDA, Kumar said, "Media should not be criticised for its projection that NDA will pull off a landslide victory in Bihar.
"People should refrain from unnecessary criticism of the media .... if you live up to the people's aspirations and expectations you will definitely be rewarded," Kumar said."Now I feel that the people have thrust on my shoulder more responsibilities and I have to continue to make efforts with full dedication."

We have no magic wand, but people's trust: Nitish:Nitish Kumar on Wednesday termed the victory of his NDA-JD(U) alliance as a victory for development and pledge to work harder in his second innings.

"We have no magic wand, but people's trust. I will need to work harder than I did in the last five years and I will not hesitate," 59-year-old Kumar told a press conference in Patna.

The poll verdict, he said, would disappoint those doing politics on the basis of caste and the mandate would mark a "new story" in Bihar and have effect outside the state."The outcome of the elections also proves beyond doubt that it is a victory for development and for the people of the state," he said.

In a veiled attack on the RJD-LJP alliance and the Congress, Kumar said, "It is unfortunate that these people have not seen the writing on the wall. The trends are positive and reflects that those making false claims or promises will face the music."



Without naming RJD chief Lalu Prasad who had criticised the exit polls predicting victory for the NDA, Kumar said, "Media should not be criticised for its projection that NDA will pull off a landslide victory in Bihar."



"People should refrain from unnecessary criticism of the media .... if you live up to people's aspirations and expectations you will definitely be rewarded," Kumar said."Now I feel that the people have thrust on my shoulder more responsibilities and I have to continue to make efforts with full dedication."
Kumar noted that there has been massive improvement in the law and order situation in the state in the past five years of NDA rule.
Pointing out that there were only stray incidents of violence during the staggered polls spread over a month, he thanked the Election Commission for its efforts to ensure a fair and peaceful voting.Kumar said the Commission will definitely realise that there was a change in the law and order front in the state.
New Bihar govt to take oath on Friday The new government in Bihar will take oath on Friday, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said on Wednesday.

"The new government will take oath at the historic Gandhi Maidan for the second term on Friday," said Kumar, whose JD(U)-BJP alliance retained power with a massive majority.The NDA legislature party will meet in Patna on Thursday to elect its leader, alliance sources said.
Before the NDA meeting, JD(U) and BJP MLAs will meet separately to elect their respective leaders in the House.