Bihar Prime Minister and Janata Dal (United) Chairman Nitish Kumar said on Thursday that this was his last election. His comments came a day before the state goes to the third phase of the assembly elections.
While addressing a public rally in Bihar’s Purnia, Kumar urged people to vote for the JD (U) led NDA alliance in the state and said: “This is my last election, all is well if it ends well.”
The head of JD (U) is seeking a seventh term. He fought and won six consecutive Lok Sabha elections, but as prime minister, he has never been elected by popular vote.
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Kumar contested his first assembly election in 1977 as a candidate for the former Janata Dal of the Harnaut constituency, but lost the election. After an interval of nine years, he returned to contest the seat in 1985 and won.
SEE ALSO | ‘This is my last choice’: Prime Minister Nitish Kumar at an election rally in Bihar
According to a senior JD (U) official, in view of his increased responsibilities as party chief and head of the state government during the assembly elections, Nitish Kumar is stepping away from contesting a seat. “It is the face of JD (U) and the government of Bihar. In elections, you have to campaign across the state. If you compete from a particular seat, you invariably have to spend more time in your own seat. For the greater benefit of JD (U), he abstains from contesting the polls, “said the leader, who requested anonymity.
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