29-Jan-2024 12:06 AM
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Patna, Jan 28 (Reporter) Just a few months before Lok Sabha elections, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's JD(U) dumped the Grand Alliance and rejoined the BJP-led NDA to form a government headed by the wily leader in fast, well-planned political manoevres on Sunday. Kumar had led the JD(U) out of the NDA in an acrimonious manner over 17 months back, accusing the BJP leaders of trying to split his party. He had in August, 2022, formed the Grand Alliance government helmed by him with the Rashtriya Janata Dal, Congress and the Left parties as constituents,The day's drama began with Kumar convening a meeting of JD(U) legislators in the morning. Aftertaking them into confidence and getting a resolution passed that authorised him to take any decision in the prevailing political scenario, he resigned as CM, making the Grand Alliance government non-existent. On the other hand, the BJP also held a meeting of its legislators and decided to extend support to Kumar to form NDA government. At CM's official residence, the NDA legislature party meeting unanimously elected Kumar as its leader enabling him to form another NDA government in Bihar.Kumar took oath as CM for the ninth time alongwith BJP leaders as his cabinet colleagues. BJP president J P Nadda had come to New Delhi to be present during the oath-taking ceremony of Kumar and his cabinet colleagues.Nadda said the rule of law would be established in Bihar under the NDA government headed by Chief Minister Kumar. He said Bihar would move on the fast track of development.Kumar who has taken the 4th "U" turn by dumping Grand Alliance and joining NDA again, said the new government would work for Bihar's development. Kumar also promised that he would not take any more "U" turn in his political career and continue in NDA to serve the people of the state.On the other hand, Tejaswi Prasad Yadav, who was Deputy Chief Minister in the Grand Alliance government, predicted that JD(U) would get finished in 2024 itself. Bihar would witness a big political game in the days ahead and drama was not over as yet, he quipped.JD(U) sources said Kumar and BJP leaders had assessed the prevailing political situation and both were unanimous in their opinion that their electoral fortunes would get a boost if they came together.Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave the first signal to Kumar by giving the nation's highest civilian award Bharat Ratna to Karpoori Thakur, former Chief Minister and veteran socialist leader as he had been demanding the same for long.On the occasion of the birth anniversary of Thakur on January 24, Kumar made a veiled attack on the RJD chief Lalu Prasad without naming him for promoting his son in politics. Kumar described it as a behaviour against his principles. Reacting to his remark, Rohini Acharya, daughter of Lalu Prasad, posted comments on social media X, apparently referring to Kumar as leader of no principle. Apart from not getting due importance in opposition bloc INDIA, offensive remarks by RJD leaders against him gave Kumar all the more reasons to walk away from Grand Alliance...////...