Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar who on Sunday was elevated to the post of the national president of JD(U) said his assuming of party’s post would not affect governance in Bihar. “I have a huge responsibility of running Bihar and that will remain my first priority. Party’s post will not hinder in fulfilling that responsibility,” he said here on Monday on the sidelines of his Janata Darbar programme.
He said the big mandate the Mahagathbandhan received in the 2015 Assembly election is more important. “People have expressed their confidence and I will do nothing to shatter that confidence,” he added.
Nitish said that on earlier occasions too he briefly had held posts in the organisation but was always involved in organisational works in different capacities. Now, he said, a situation came when the party men asked him to take up this responsibility. He said Sharad Yadav himself decided not to seek third term of the party chief. In 2013 the party constitution was amended to make way for Yadav to become president for third term but this time he was against amending the constitution and decided to demit office before the completion of his term. “He will remain in the active politics and remain our most respected leader,” the CM added.
The new JD(U) chief while reacting to critical comments by leaders of Opposition parties said his assuming the office was purely an internal party matter and there was no need to see much in this move. Asked if he was aiming to be PM candidate in 2019, Nitish said he was not a claimant. “If others think I have ability and credentials (to become PM candidate) it is up to them and I have nothing to say. I am more interested to fulfill the responsibilities people of Bihar have given to me,” he clarified.
About the proposed merger of two parties Rashtriya lok Dal and Jharkhand Vikas Manch in JD(U), Nitish said there was constant efforts to unite the anti-BJP forces after 2014 lok Sabha polls though one such attempt prior to Bihar polls did not succeed. He said more important was proper strategies, mutual understanding and electoral alliance. “So far nothing is clear (on merger) but options are open and there are many options,” he said. About the Samajwadi Party leader Mulayam Singh Yadav, Nitish said his party and others had accepted him as leader of the Janata Parivar but “two hands are needed for clapping. Our options are still open but the aim is the same: to defeat BJP.”
The CM pooh-poohed the apprehension that with his total prohibition policy hospitality and tourism industry would be adversely affected in Bihar. “The tourists, both foreigners and national, do not come here to drink. Most of them are religious tourists whether Buddhists or Hindus. The tourists with an aim to come here for boozing should better not come. My Government in one stroke forego an income of Rs 5,000 crore and will not care for loss of Rs 2, 4 or 10 crores. We have taken this decision by taking care of all aspects and there is no question of going back. Today a similar atmosphere is in making in the country and the parties in Tamil Nadu have also favoured prohibition. The day is not far when our neighbours will also succumb to public pressure,” Nitish said firmly.