Bihar Chief Minister and JD(U) president Nitish Kumar said that BJP will get a heavy mandate in Gujarat and the saffron party has no threat in the Assembly elections. Nitish whose party rejoined the NDA a couple of months back after a gap of nearly four years said, “It is unimaginable that the people of Gujarat can go against the PM of their State.”
Talking to the media on Monday, he refused to comment on the outcome of a by-election in Madhya Pradesh and said that all elections should not be seen as semi finals. He claimed that he had estimated the results of the UP Assembly election and the outcome was no different from his estimate.
The JD(U) chief once again reiterated his support for simultaneous election in the country right from the lok Sabha down to panchayat level and municipal corporations. “Elections are being held in each State almost every year. The situation will change only when all elections across the country are held simultaneously and this will give full time to each State Government to work unhindered,” said Nitish while strongly favouring all elections simultaneously.
Saying that it was a debatable issue and was in need for consensus. “If there is a larger agreement, the process could be started and changes in the Constitution should be made if necessary. But it seems impossible in the present scenario as no party or Government will be ready to go for poll before completing its five year term. However, a positive and constructive debate should be initiated,” he said and added that before 1967 all elections were being held at a time,” he said.
Reacting on NCP chief Farooque Abdullah’s statement that J&K was part of India and PoK was of Pakistan and no war could change the geography, Nitish said, “Our stand is that entire Kashmir including PoK is integral part of India. But in the democratic set up every one has the right to express his views.”
Commenting on tenth consecutive time election of lalu Prasad as president of RJD, the CM said it was quite surprising that organisational election in that party had been held only last year. “But any thing is possible there since RJD is family asset of lalu and there is nobody else in that party. lalu knows how to remain in the news and occupy space in the media. let us wait for the next Assembly election and his party will go back to pavilion.
On women reservation, Nitish said the bill passed by the Rajya Sabha should be referred to the lok Sabha.
He admitted that Sharad Yadav had opposed the bill when he was president of JD(U) but it was his personal views. “I had supported the reservation at that time too and if the bill is brought we will support it,” he added.