JOIN USNitish takes back reins of Bihar
Janata Dal-United leader Nitish Kumar was sworn in as Bihar’s 24th chief minister at a simple function on Sunday.
The event was attended by a galaxy of political leaders which include former prime minister H D Deve Gowda and non-BJP chief ministers like Mamata Banerjee (West Bengal), Akhilesh Yadav (UP) and Tarun Gagoi (Assam).
The two political heavyweights, who were conspicuous by their absence, included RJD chief Lalu Prasad and Samajwadi Party president Mulayam Singh Yadav. Both the regional chieftains were reported to be busy with wedding function in their family.
Apart from Nitish, 22 others, including three woman ministers, were administered oath by Governor Kesri Nath Tripathi. Prominent among them were Vijay Choudhary, Vijyendra Yadav, Ramai Ram, Shyam Razak and Lallan Singh. The three woman ministers are Lesi Singh, Bima Bharti and Ranju Geeta. Most of them were Nitish’s loyalists who had stood by him through thick and thin.
“My focus would be on establishing the rule of law,” Nitish said soon after the oath ceremony and reiterated the importance of good governance. Though he did not mention Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s name, he expressed hope that the Centre would extend all possible assistance in Bihar’s progress.
“I don’t have any problem in working with any body (read Narendra Modi),” added Nitish, giving ample hints that he was ready to put the bitter acrimony (between him and Modi) on backburner.
AICC treasurer Moti Lal Vora, who arrived here with a congratulatory note from Congress president Sonia Gandhi, was accompanied by former Union minister CP Joshi. “I thank Soniaji for her support and best wishes,” said Nitish.
Despite being invited to join the Cabinet, the RJD and the Congress preferred to stay away from the government. “The Congress high command will take a call on joining Nitish’s government once he proves his majority on the floor of the House next month,” Bihar Congress president Ashok Choudhary, a ministerial hopeful, told Deccan Herald.