Rama Krishna Sangem
Nitish Kumar is set to become the CM of Bihar for a record 10th time as he takes oath of office on November 20, Thursday. PM Modi, top brass of BJP and key figures of NDA allies are expected to attend the swearing in ceremony in Patna. Talks have begun on new Cabinet formation. There will one minister per every 6 MLAs of ruling NDA. .
Nitish on November 17 Monday met Governor Arif Mohammad Khan. He will resign as Chief Minister on Wednesday, a day before his 10th swearing-in ceremony on November 20. Meanwhile, the NDA legislature party will convene today to complete the formality of naming Nitish Kumar as the alliance’s nominee for the top post.
Janata Dal (United) leader Vijay Kumar Chaudhary said on Monday that the state cabinet has recommended dissolving the current Bihar Assembly with effect from November 19. The decision, he added, has been formally conveyed to the Governor through the Chief Minister.
“In the recently-concluded elections, the NDA, under the leadership of Nitish Kumar, achieved such tremendous success and achieved a resounding majority. The Council of Ministers congratulated the Chief Minister and expressed gratitude for the fact that under his leadership, the NDA has reached the pinnacle of its success,” Kumar said while speaking to reporters in Patna.
Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) leader Santosh Kumar Suman insisted on Monday that his party isn’t bargaining for power even as the NDA moves to stitch up its new government in Bihar.
“Even if we do not get the ministerial post, we will still serve the people of Bihar. We are not asking for anything, neither have we asked for it, nor will we ask for it. Whatever happens will be decided in front of everyone,” he said.
BJP state president Dilip Jaiswal said Nitish Kumar will continue as chief minister, adding that only the formal selection by alliance partners remained pending.
Jaiswal announced that the BJP legislature party will meet at 10 am on Tuesday at the party’s state headquarters to choose its leader. The NDA legislature party will convene immediately afterward to complete the formality of naming Nitish Kumar as the alliance’s nominee for the top post. He added that the swearing-in ceremony is planned at Gandhi Maidan, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi and chief ministers of BJP-ruled states are expected to attend.
PK alleges WB funds diversion for women
Prashant Kishor will hold a press conference at 11.30 am tomorrow after his newly-formed Jan Suraaj Party failed to open its account in the Bihar Assembly polls despite contesting 238 seats.
The party has alleged that World Bank funds worth Rs 14,000 crore, originally meant for development schemes, were diverted by the BJP to finance Rs 10,000 cash transfers to women in the run-up to the election. According to Jan Suraaj, the move distorted the playing field and influenced the final outcome. This may be true, but PK seems to have not realized the possible impact of doling out of Rs 10,000 to each of aro und 21 lakh poor women in Bihar. He should have raised this issue before the polls, not now!
