Nitish, Lalu speak of strong alternative to BJP

After decimating BJP in Bihar, grand alliance leaders Nitish Kumar and Lalu Prasad today spoke of plans for forging a strong national alternative as an "effective opposition" to the BJP.

Addressing a press conference after emerging victorious in the Assembly elections, Chief Minister Kumar said efforts to polarise the society have been rejected in the "milestone" Bihar elections and its results have reflected the mood of the nation that they wanted a strong alternative at the national level.

RJD chief Lalu Prasad, who addressed the joint interaction, said the grand alliance will launch a nation-wide stir against the "communal" Narendra Modi government with him touring the country to create a people's movement.

He also declared that Kumar will continue as the chief minister. It will be Kumar's third consecutive term.

Suggesting coming together of non-BJP forces at the Centre to provide a strong opposition, Kumar said Bihar polls had a national context and it was now imperative that they work together to provide a strong alternative.

"Bihar poll outcome will have national implications as it had attracted nation-wide attention. The results have made it clear that people want a robust opposition and strong alternative at the national level.

"A very aggressive campaign was run (by BJP) and attempts were made to create a certain situation. People have rejected it, rejected attempts to polarise and expressed their view. This is a huge mandate and we expect it with all the humility," he said.

The JD(U) leader also noted that despite an aggressive campaign by the BJP-led NDA and its attempts at polarising the electorate, the massive mandate showed that people across communities had certain expectations and he would try his best to fulfil them.

However, he also insisted that he will not hold grudges against anybody despite the bitter campaign and will work together with all keeping a positive mindset as he sought the Centre's cooperation for the progress of Bihar.

Such a big victory would not have been possible without the support from all sections of society, including women, Dalits and minorities, he said.

On his part, Prasad asserted that they will "continue with our fight. There will be such a long-term impact of Bihar results on the national politics that you cannot imagine. The Modi government, the RSS government will be demolished. I will also go to Varanasi (Modi's constituency) with lantern (RJD's election symbol)".

Even as RJD emerged as the single largest party, Prasad said it was a victory of the grand alliance and not of one party.

"If anyone wants to sow the seeds of division among us, we won't let that happen. We are not going to be divided for the next ten lives," he said in his inimitable style amid loud cheers from workers and supporters.

On his nation-wide stir, Prasad said he will take together farmers, labourers and the deprived sections "to uproot the communal Modi government". "They have been chased out of Bihar.