We let BJP take CM post to return 'support' shown by ally in the past: JD(U) on Nitish Kumar’s exit

Earlier, state JD(U) president Umesh Kushwaha said in the press conference that Chaudhary intended to answer any questions related to the power transition in the state.

The JD(U) on Thursday clarified that let the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to take the chief minister’s post after Nitish Kumar stepped down, calling it a gesture to return the “support” extended by its ally in the past.

Addressing a press conference, senior JD(U) leader and Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary said, “Tomorrow, the new government headed by Samrat Choudhary will seek a vote of confidence. A single-day session of the assembly has been called for this very purpose. The ruling NDA enjoys a thumping majority, so winning the trust vote is a foregone conclusion.”

He added that the new dispensation had the backing of Nitish Kumar, who resigned as chief minister after deciding to move to the Rajya Sabha. “But the people of the state have repeatedly reposed their trust in him. So all should rest assured that the new government shall follow in the footsteps of Nitish Kumar,” Chaudhary said.

Earlier in the briefing, state JD(U) president Umesh Kushwaha said Chaudhary would respond to queries related to the leadership transition, which began when Kumar announced his decision to contest Rajya Sabha polls last month. Following his election, Samrat Choudhary took charge as Bihar’s first BJP chief minister.

Chaudhary, explaining why JD(U) did not stake claim to retain the top post, said, “The BJP has been an old ally. It supported us in 2020 when our tally had crashed in the assembly polls. So, it was decided that we reciprocate the gesture by extending our support to a government headed by them”.

The shift in power equations became evident last week when, besides Chaudhary, another senior JD(U) leader Bijendra Prasad Yadav was sworn in as deputy chief minister. This marked a reversal from the previous arrangement where Nitish Kumar was chief minister and BJP leaders Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha served as his deputies.

During the interaction, Chaudhary also responded to remarks by Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav, who alleged that populism and corruption under the NDA had strained Bihar’s finances, leaving the new government burdened with debt.

The deputy CM dismissed the criticism, saying, “It is normal for all governments to borrow money for development work. There is no reason to cause alarm about debt. Moreover, our opponents should remember that while they were in power, the state's financial position had grown so precarious that even paying salaries to government employees had become a challenge. Thankfully, that is not the case now”.

He was referring to the tenure of the Rashtriya Janata Dal, which governed Bihar until 2005, before Nitish Kumar assumed office.

Chaudhary also countered opposition claims regarding the upcoming political tour of Nitish Kumar’s son, Nishant Kumar, set to begin on May 3. The tour has been labelled by critics as a “JD(U) bachao” yatra.

He said, “People know it very well what a JD(U) yatra means, and they are enjoying the fruits of those yatras.” He added, “Nishant ji is an active leader, and it is only natural that he is embarking on a Bihar tour. We welcome his decision.” Nishant formally joined JD(U) last month.

On calls from some MLAs within the alliance and party to review Bihar’s liquor prohibition law, Chaudhary distanced the government from such remarks. “Comments made in a personal capacity are not necessarily reflective of the party's or the government's position. Political leaders, the party and the government are three separate entities,” he said.

Bihar has enforced total prohibition since 2016, banning the manufacture, trade, sale and consumption of alcohol. However, the policy has faced criticism due to repeated hooch tragedies leading to multiple deaths.

Recently, the Patna High Court pulled up the state government over the “failure” in effectively implementing the law, warning that it was putting lives at risk.

(With PTI Inputs)