Amidst the ongoing debate over intolerance in the country, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Sunday emerged as the “real political hero” and received praise and support from across a wide spectrum of Opposition leaders including BJP’s Maharasthra ally, Shiv Sena.
While Delhi Chief Minister Arving Kejriwal termed the Grand Alliance victory as “historic”, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee termed the results of Bihar elections as defeat of “intolerance”. Both Kerjiwal and Mamta backed the Nitish-led secular alliance and urged the voters of Bihar to vote back Nitish.
But BJP’s long time ally both at Centre and State, Shiv Sena said the Bihar elections results “denotes decline of a leader” in an apparent reference to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and asserted that it will bring in a “new” turn in the country’s politics. Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut also said if elections were to be held in Maharashtra now, similar results will emerge.
“Nitish Kumar has emerged as a superhero. His victory was the need in Bihar. He has done good work in Bihar. I greet him on behalf of Shiv Sena. The results in Bihar will bring a new turn to politics of the country,” he said.
The left parties too said the Bihar mandate underscored Modi’s “personal defeat” and reflected inception of “good days” for people who rejected RSS-BJP’s “communal politics” for “secular and democratic” values. It said the rejection was handed first in Delhi now Bihar.
While Samajwadi Party which broke as part of Mahagathbandhan some days ahead of the polls was yet to react, BSP termed the results as “historic” and said the people have handed over a “crushing” defeat to “communal forces”.
“This is defeat of not only the BJP, but personal defeat of Modi and his policies. The... Anti-intolerance campaign also could not bring any result,” CPI national secretary Atul Anjan said. His party colleague and Rajya Sabha member, D Raja, echoed similar views and termed JD(U)-RJD-Congress grand alliance’ victory as “decisive”.
CPI (M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury observed the verdict ensured beginning of “good days” for people as they rejected alleged communal polarisation by RSS-BJP and its “so-called” development agenda. “Nitish ji, Congratulations, well done. Now, for bigger battles. lalu ji, Congratulations. Ek behtar Bharat ke liye, ab sangharsh tez hoga,” he said in series of tweets indicating to give an unrelenting fight to the Modi Government in near future.
Goverdhan Peethadhishwar Shankaracharya Adhokshajanand too welcomed the Bihar polls results saying it shows that people have more faith in the grand alliance which “symbolises truth”. Adhokshajanand also requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to introspect the results and make sure that the harmony of the country was maintained. Shankaracharya advised Prime Minister Narendra Modi to introspect and make law to ban slaughtering of cows and beef export.