Outgoing Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav on Sunday hit out at acting CM Nitish Kumar after he resigned from the post to form a government with the NDA after days of speculation, saying that the JD(U) will be ‘finished’ by 2024 as it will cease to exist as a political party.
Speaking to ANI, Yadav also hinted at more political developments in the state and said that ‘the game is yet to begin’.
Calling Nitish Kumar a ‘tired CM’, Yadav said, “Khel abhi shuru hua hai, khel abhi baki hain. What I say, I do…I can give you in writing that the JDU party will be finished in 2024. The public is with us…”
Yadav, however, said that Nitish Kumar is and will be ‘respectable’.
“I want to thank the BJP that it got ready to induct his party (JDU) in their alliance,” he added.
He also credited the grand alliance rule for the development of the state in the last 17 months.
“Why should we not take credit for the work we have done? … The CM who used to say that it is impossible to give jobs, we gave jobs and showed that it is possible. We brought new policies in tourism, IT, and sports. The work that was done in 17 months could not be done in 17 years (of BJP-JDU rule). We did historic work in the 17 months…” Yadav added.
After days of speculation, JD(U) chief Nitish Kumar resigned as the Chief Minister of Bihar on Sunday, his second volte face in less than 18 months. Snapping ties with the RJD and Congress, Nitish will now be forming a government with BJP’s support, the oath-taking of which is going to take place shortly.
Nitish Kumar cited the state of affairs being “not right” under the Mahagathbandhan alliance as his reason for quitting. He said that he has been receiving suggestions from everywhere, including his party workers, and he listened to all of them to come to this decision.
“I have resigned as the CM today and have asked the Governor to put an end to this government. Party leaders were giving me advice. I heard what they said and have resigned. The situation was not good. So, we have broken ties,” Nitish Kumar told reporters outside the Raj Bhavan.