Comparing JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar with chameleons, the Congress party on Sunday slammed the Bihar chief minister for resigning and dissolving the Mahagatbandhan government in the state. Nitish Kumar, who has returned to the BJP-led NDA alliance, is expected to be sworn in CM again on Sunday evening.
Calling the act a betrayal, Congress General Secretary (Communications) Jairam Ramesh said, “Nitish Kumar, who frequently changes political partners, is giving tough competition to the chameleons in changing colours. The people of Bihar will not forgive the experts of this betrayal and those who made them dance on their tune. It is quite clear that the Prime Minister and the BJP are scared of the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra and this political drama has been created to divert attention from it.”
Kumar met with Governor Rajendra Arlekar on Sunday morning and submitted his resignation. Kumar ditched the BJP to form the current Bihar government with RJD and Congress support less than 18 months ago. His party was previously in alliance with RJD and Congress till 2017. The governor has accepted his resignation and advised him to continue as caretaker CM till a new government is formed.
Reacting to the developments, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said, “Bihar Deputy CM (Tejashwi Yadav) and Lalu Prasad Yadav had hinted regarding this and today it became true. Aise desh mein bahut saare log hein, aaya ram gaya ram,” ANI reported.
Criticising Congress, JD(U) leader K.C. Tyagi said the INDIA bloc lacked plans to fight against BJP. “Congress wanted to steal the leadership of the INDIA alliance. In the meeting that took place on December 19, through a conspiracy, to get the leadership of the INDIA alliance, Mallikarjun Kharge's name was proposed (as PM face). Earlier, in the meeting that took place in Mumbai, it was unanimously decided that without any PM face, INDIA alliance will work,” ANI reported.
Tyagi said, “Through a conspiracy, Mamata Banerjee was made to propose Kharge's name as PM face. Congress kept dragging the seat sharing, we kept saying that seat sharing needs to happen immediately. INDIA lacked plans to fight against BJP."
According to reports, the swearing-in ceremony is expected to happen around 4pm. BJP President J.P. Nadda is expected to reach Patna for the ceremony. Bihar BJP chief Samrat Chaudhary and Leader of Opposition in the Bihar assembly Vijay Sinha will be appointed Deputy Chief Ministers, NDTV reported.