Prime Minister Narendra Modi publicly endorsed Nitish Kumar as leader of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Bihar on Wednesday, ending speculation that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) would push its own candidate for the highest post of the been after winning a narrow victory in the recently concluded assembly elections.
Addressing party workers at its headquarters in Delhi to celebrate the electoral victory, Modi praised the BJP’s development agenda, criticized the dynasty’s policy and condemned the attacks on party workers. He also referred to the BJP’s victories in by-elections in 11 states and said that the party was “in every corner of India, in the heart of every person.”
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SEE | ‘Women are the’ silent voters’ of BJP: Prime Minister Modi thanks people for NDA victory in Bihar
Establishing the roadmap for the way forward in Bihar, Modi said: “Under Nitish Kumar’s leadership, the NDA and its workers will leave no stone unturned to fulfill the promises made to the people of Bihar.” The comment came a day after the NDA won 125 seats in Bihar’s 243-member assembly, while the Grand Opposition Alliance won 110 seats in a close election.
Speculation about the prime minister’s presidency had been swirling even as the results came in Tuesday afternoon, when trends showed the BJP was on its way to emerge as the lead partner of the alliance for the first time in Bihar. The BJP finished the night in 75 seats and Janata Dal (United) in 43.
But on Wednesday, BJP leaders Sushil Kumar Modi and Bhupender Yadav also rejected the rumors and backed Kumar for a fourth consecutive term. “The BJP is a party that sticks to its word and commitment.”
Kumar also tweeted his gratitude to the prime minister, who was seen for boosting the NDA poll prospects and undermining anti-incumbent sentiment with his 12 rallies in Bihar. “The people are our master. I salute people for the majority they have given to the NDA. I thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his support, ”Kumar tweeted.
In his speech, Modi said that citizens have made themselves heard and will give an opportunity only to those who work honestly for development. “The secret to winning Bihar is sabka saath, sabka vikas, sabka vishwaas. It is a victory for the development works in Bihar, ”said the prime minister.
Attacking opposition parties, the prime minister said previous elections in Bihar were followed by headlines about job seizures and killings, but now the news focused on a higher percentage of polls and more female voters. “Yesterday’s results have shown that if you work, people will support you. If you dedicate yourself 24 hours a day and think about the country and think about doing something outside the box, you will get the results … Yesterday people have reinforced that in the 21st century the main focus of the country’s politics is development ”.
Modi also referred to the “silent vote” in Bihar.
“The BJP has a large number of silent voters who are returning it to power repeatedly; these silent voters are women… The BJP gives respect to women. It has given them bank accounts for bank loans, free medical care during pregnancy to maternity leave, from bathrooms to smoke-free kitchens and water and electricity in every home, ”he said.
Modi said the recently concluded elections across the country are unparalleled in the world because they were held during the Covid-19 pandemic.
He also praised the leadership of the BJP chief, JP Nadda, and urged the crowd of hundreds to sing along with him: “Nadda ji, you lead, we are with you.”
In a direct attack on the opposition without naming names, the prime minister said that young people recognized dynastic politics as the greatest threat to democracy. “Unfortunately, a national political party that was in power for decades is trapped in the web of family politics,” he said.
The prime minister also referred to the deaths of party workers, several of whom have been reported in West Bengal, who will go to the polls early next year.
“Those who cannot challenge us democratically have taken up the slaughter of BJP workers in some parts of the country. They believe that by killing the BJP workers they will be victorious. I respectfully tell them not to challenge me because that work will be done by people, ”he said.
In her speech before Modi took the stage, Nadda credited the prime minister’s handling of the pandemic with the NDA’s victory in Bihar.
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