Chief Minister Nitish Kumar Archives - Lokmarg

Nitish Has Developed Amnesia: Sanjay After Split From INDIA Bloc

By LokMarg 29th January 2024

Targeting Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for shifting his alliance from the INDIA bloc to join back with the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut said on Monday that Nitish Kumar seems to have “developed amnesia” and doesn’t realise which party he has sided with.

Speaking to ANI on Monday, Raut said, “He seems to have developed amnesia. Once he takes the medicine, he will realise that he has joined the BJP and will return to the INDIA (alliance). This disease is very dangerous for the country, politics, and democracy.

Raut also took a shot at the Bharatiya Janata Party leaders and said, “Not only Nitish Kumar, but Minister Amit Shah and PM Modi also seemed to have developed this disease. They were the same leaders who used to say that they would not take Nitish back into their party.”

After a dramatic volte-face, Kumar on Sunday dumped his 18-month-long association with the RJD in the ‘mahagathbandhan’ government in Bihar and joined hands with the BJP.

Kumar was sworn in by Bihar Governor Rajendra Arlekar at Raj Bhavan in the presence of senior leaders, including BJP national president JP Nadda, hours after he resigned from the post.

Nitish Kumar, along with eight ministers, took the oath on Sunday.

Of the eight ministers who were sworn in along with Kumar, three were each from the BJP and the JD-U, one from the HAM and one was independent.

Meanwhile, Shiv Sena (UBT) mouthpiece Saamana, in its editorial, criticised Bihar CM Nitish Kumar for returning to the NDA fold.

Saamana, in its latest editorial on Monday, said that Nitish Kumar, who took the oath as the Chief Minister of Bihar with the support of the BJP, was the one who took initiative in uniting all anti-Bharatiya Janata Party forces together and called the first meeting of the opposition’s alliance in Patna.

INDIA or ‘Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance’ is a group of opposition parties, including the Congress. The parties have come together to take on the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), which is led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and prevent it from winning a third straight term at the Centre in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

The first meeting of the alliance was convened in Patna in June last year and the second two-day meeting was held a month later in Bengaluru, where the acronym INDIA was christened.

The Shiv Sena (UBT) mouthpiece said that while there is ‘Ram’ in Ayodhya, there is a ‘Palturam’ in Bihar, referring to Kumar’s switching sides in less than 18 months again. (ANI)

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No Sign Of Nitish Joining NDA: Akhilesh

By LokMarg 26th January 2024

Akhilesh Yadav, the Samajwadi Party Chief and ally of the INDIA bloc on Friday said that there is “no sign” of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, a key figure in the opposition alliance returning to the NDA.

Speaking to the reporters here, Yadav also expressed his hope that Nitish will strengthen the INDIA alliance, formed to take on the BJP-led central government in the upcoming general elections.

“There is no such sign. We hope that Nitish Kumar will not go to NDA. He will strengthen the INDIA alliance,” Yadav said.

Notably, the unity of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) appeared in jeopardy amid growing speculation that Nitish Kumar, a key figure in the bloc may exit the 28-party Opposition bloc, formed to take on the BJP-led Central government.

Also when Former Bihar Chief Minister and RJD President Lalu’s daughter Rohini Acharya took a swipe at RJD’s ruling ally, JDU, on X posting that while the ‘socialist party’ (JDU) styles itself as progressive, its ideology shifts with the changing wind patterns, a statement which triggered cracks within the ruling alliance.

However, a few hours later, all three posts by Lalu’s daughter were deleted.

If Nitish crosses over, this would be the fourth time he would be switching sides.

In the Bihar Assembly of 243, the RJD has 79 MLAs; followed by the BJP’s 78; the JD(U)’s 45′ the Congress’s 19, the CPI (M-L)’s 12, two each of the CPI(M) and CPI, the Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular)’s four seats, and the AIMIM’s one, plus one Independent legislator.

Amid talk of a deepening rift, the RJD and JD(U), on Thursday, held separate meetings while BJP state president Samrat Choudhary left for Delhi to hold discussions with top BJP leaders.

Giving more weight to the possible entry of Nitish Kumar into NDA, Bharatiya Janata Party MP and former Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar, Sushil Kumar Modi on Friday said that doors are never closed “permanently” in politics.

“In yesterday’s meeting, strategies for (the upcoming) Lok Sabha elections were discussed. But as far as Nitish Kumar and JD(U) are concerned, doors are never closed permanently in politics. Now our central leadership will decide whether the door will open or not,” Sushil Modi told reporters before returning to Patna.

Nitish Kumar defeated the BJP in the 2015 assembly elections, in alliance with the RJD. However, two years later, he dumped Lalu Yadav’s party and joined the NDA.

Sushil Modi was Deputy Chief Minister in the NDA government in Bihar in 2022, before Janata Dal (United) supremo Nitish Kumar severed ties with the ally BJP and partnered with the RJD and the Congress again.

Armed with the support of the ‘Mahagathbandhan’ (Grand Alliance) Kumar quit the BJP in August 2022 and stripped the party out of power. (ANI)

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India Alliance Fine, Nitish Has No Issues: KC Tyagi

By LokMarg 25th January 2024

Amid the political turmoil in Bihar after RJD patriarch Lalu Prasad Yadav’s daughter, Rohini Acharya, took a swipe at Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, JD(U) leader KC Tyagi on Thursday clarified that all was fine with the INDIA bloc.

Speaking to ANI on Thursday, Tyagi said, “
INDIA gathbandhan (alliance) salamat hai
(INDIA bloc is safe). Everything is fine with the alliance.”

Earlier, Lalu’s daughter Rohini Acharya took a swipe at RJD’s ruling ally, JDS, on X posting that while the ‘socialist party’ (JDU) styles itself as progressive, its ideology shifts with the changing wind patterns.

However, a few hours later, all three posts by Lalu’s daughter were deleted.

Earlier, speaking on Bihar CM Nitish Kumar’s statement on dynastic politics and Rohini Acharya’s tweet, Tyagi said, “
Baccho ke comments par hum comment nahi karte
(We do not comment on children’s comments). Nitish Kumar’s remarks were neither directed at Lalu Yadav nor Sonia Gandhi. He was merely being appreciative of the lifelong efforts of Karpoori Thakur to ensure social justice.”

Earlier on Wednesday, on the occasion of Jan Nayak Karpoori Thakur’s birth centenary celebrations, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar launched a scathing attack on dynastic politics saying, “Karpoori Thakur never promoted his family. Taking inspiration from him, I too have never promoted any member of my family. After the death of Karpoori Thakur, only his son, Ramnath Thakur, was promoted. But today, people are promoting dynastic politics.”

Rashtrapati Bhavan announced on Tuesday that the President is pleased to award Bharat Ratna to Karpoori Thakur (posthumously).

Karpoori Thakur was born in 1924 in one of the most backward sections of society, the Nai Samaj. He was a remarkable leader whose political journey was marked by his unwavering commitment to the marginalised sections of society.

He served as the Chief Minister of Bihar and was a key figure in the struggle against social discrimination and inequality. His commitment to affirmative action gave representation and opportunities to the poor, oppressed, exploited and deprived sections of the country. (ANI)

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Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) bloc

Want To Conduct Survey, Not Census: Nitish

By LokMarg 29th August 2023

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Tuesday targeted the Central government over their affidavit in the Supreme Court on Bihar’s government decision to conduct a caste-based census in the state.

CM Nitish Kumar was at the inauguration ceremony of the newly constructed building at Nalanda University.

While speaking to the media, Nitish said “It is the Central government’s duty to conduct a census, we only want to conduct a survey in the state. Census is what is done at the Centre level and we cant do that. We want to gather financial information about the different people irrespective of any caste, rich or poor, Hindu or Muslim living in the state so that, we can work for their welfare.”

The Central government on Monday in its reply to the Supreme Court on the Bihar government’s caste-based survey filed and affidavit and said that only it is entitled to conduct a census,.

On being asked about the upcoming INDIA alliance meeting in Mumbai on September 1, CM Nitish kumar said “Elections (2024 Lok Sabha) can happen at any time. It’s not necessary that they are conducted on time.”

Earlier, Janata Dal-United (JDU) leader Vijay Kumar Chaudhary slammed the Central government for filing an affidavit in the Supreme Court against Bihar’s government decision to conduct caste-based census in the state.

The Finance Minister of Bihar, Vijay Chaudhary was addressing a press conference at the party’s office when he said “Patna High court also stands with the idea of Bihar government’ of caste-based census. The central government is interfering in the matter. What the Central Government has done in the matter of caste census in the Supreme Court is not only comical, but it also stands against the benefits of the poor in Bihar.”

Reacting to it, Bihar Deputy CM, Tejashwi Yadav also took a swipe at the centre and said “They have no knowledge. They only know how to lie and suppress the truth. They have opposed it even in the affidavit. It has been made clear that the BJP does not want it and is opposing it.”

He further said that the Centre should conduct a caste census across the country if it supports it. (ANI)

Patna: Opposition Leaders’ Meet Begins For 2024 LS Polls

By LokMarg 23rd June 2023

The highly-anticipated Opposition meeting begins in Bihar’s Patna hosted by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar with an aim to arrive at a consensus to forge a united Opposition front to take on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

The Opposition picked Patna as a venue for its meeting as it represents the 1974 call of total revolution by Jayaprakash Narayan that toppled Indira Gandhi’s majority government.
Ahead of the meeting, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said, “There is a war of ideology going on in India. On one side is Congress party’s ‘Bharat Jodo’ ideology and on the other RSS and BJP’s ‘Bharat Todo’ ideology …Congress party’s DNA is in Bihar.”

He said that the opposition parties have come together to defeat the BJP.

“BJP is working to spread hate, violence and break the country. We are working to spread love and unite. Opposition parties have come here today and together we will defeat BJP,” he added.

As leaders of several opposition parties arrived in Patna on Thursday, the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) president Jayant Chaudhary decided to skip the conclave due to a “pre-decided family programme”. Chaudhary, however, hoped the meeting will be an “important milestone in the path of opposition unity”.

This came after the Janata Dal (United), which is hosting the meet, said Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati has not been invited to the event.

Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati took a dig at the meeting with sarcastic remark, “Dil mile ya na mile, haath milate rahiye”.

She also used another Hindi proverb “Muh me Ram, bagal me chhuri” and said the opposition parties should have cleared their intentions before the meeting.

The meeting has been called by Bihar Chief Minister and Janata Dal (United) leader Nitish Kumar and will be attended by leaders of parties opposed to the BJP.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, and PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti were among the leaders who reached Patna for the meeting.

Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi, party chief Mallikarjun Kharge, Former Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray, MP Sanjay Raut, NCP chief Sharad Pawar and former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah arrived on Friday. (ANI)

Tried Best To Save JDU: Kushwaha Writes Open Letter

By LokMarg 5th February 2023

Janata Dal (United) leader and party’s Parliamentary Board President Upendra Kushwaha has convened two days open session of his supporter in Patna on February 19-20 to discuss the prevailing situation in JDU.

Kushwaha has written an open letter to party workers and claimed that JDU is getting weaker due to internal reasons.
“After becoming part of the grand alliance, I have been worried about the party’s position since the results of the assembly bypolls were announced. I kept informing Chief Minister Nitish Kumar about the party condition. I have tried my best to save the party from losing ground in Bihar and my efforts continue even today,” he wrote.

Despite all the efforts, Kushwaha said his concerns were not only ignored by Chief Minister Kumar but interpreted incorrectly. He said he is concerned about the supporters of JDU if the party disintegrates.

“I want to save JDU. This is only the motive and intention behind the open letter to party workers. Still, 15 days remain in between. I hope that good sense will prevail in the party,” Kushwaha told ANI.

He also questioned CM Nitish Kumar for not answering on the alleged “deal” with Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD).

“Why are Nitish Kumar and the people around him not answering whether any ‘deal’ has been done between JDU and RJD or not? Either Nitish Ji doesn’t want to answer the question or something else has happened,” he said.

“Why RJD leaders continuously speak against me despite JDU being part of the grand alliance. Should not Nitish Kumar ask why RJD leaders speaking against me?” he questioned.

Asked if he would launch his political party, Kushwaha said, “Till now I have not planned a new party but focus to strengthen JDU.”

Meanwhile, JDU president and party MP Rajiv Ranjan Singh criticized Kushwaha for putting his concerns in public and not in the party forum.

“Only Upendra Kushwaha can tell what is going on in his mind and about his intentions. If a person has issue with his party and his intentions are right, he will speak on the party’s forum. But instead, he is speaking about it publically. Hence, something is wrong,” the JDU chief said. (ANI)