This is a victory for Bihar's self-respect, says Nitish Kumar

The BJP combine’s defeat in Bihar is significant nationally, Chief Minister and JD-U leader Nitish Kumar said yesterday

Patna: The BJP combine’s defeat in Bihar is significant nationally, Chief Minister and JD-U leader Nitish Kumar said yesterday. “From the national perspective, the result is significant,” Nitish Kumar said in his first comments after his Grand Alliance triumphed in the battle for the 243-seat Bihar assembly.

Nitish Kumar described the sweeping win of the Grand Alliance, which also includes the RJD and the Congress, as “a victory for Bihar’s self respect”.

“It is now clear that people want a strong and united opposition (in the country),” said the JD-U leader who is poised to take oath for a third straight time as the chief minister of Bihar.

“There will be a national impact (of the Bihar verdict),” he said. “In the national context, Bihar understands its responsibility.”
At the same time, the chief minister said he and his allies will respect the opposition in Bihar — a reference to the vanquished BJP and its allies.

“We have no malice in our hearts. We will never make fun of the vanquished... We will work without any ill-will towards those who opposed us in the election. We have no hatred.

“Whatever may have happened during the election, now that the Grand Alliance has won, we hope to get the support of the central government.”

He said the BJP’s attempts to divide the society in a bid to polarize the voters had been foiled by Bihar’s electorate. “The people have given a decisive mandate.”

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