STATE TIMES NEWS
PATNA: The Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance said it will form government in Bihar after edging ahead in the closely-contested state assembly poll by a big margin. But neither of its lead parties has yet emerged as the largest. Till filing last reports, Results were declared for 229 seats out of the total 243 in which NDA won 116 seats (BJP 68, JDU 40, VIP 4, HAM 4) while Mahagathbandhan won 105 seats (RJD 71, Congress 18, Left 16) whereas AIMIM wins 5, BSP wins 1, LJP wins 1 & Independent wins 1
The results mark yet another victory for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party that has so far won 68 seats in a 243-member assembly.
After maintaining a lead over the Grand Alliance throughout the day, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) on Wednesday looked all set to retain power in Bihar. Several Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders, including PM Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, congratulated the “double-engine” government and thanked the people of the state for electing Chief Minister Nitish Kumar once again.
With the ruling NDA set to retain power in Bihar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday asserted that every section of the society has expressed its faith in the alliance’s mantra of “with all, development for all, trust of all” and assured people that it will work with full dedication for balanced development of everybody and every region.
Voters of Bihar have made it clear that their aspiration and priority are development alone, Modi said in a series of tweets, adding that the people’s blessings for the NDA’s good governance show what are the state’s dreams and expectations.
Modi also said that democracy has again won in Bihar and it was amazing to see the dedication and the determination with which each member of the BJP and the NDA worked during the elections.
“I congratulate the workers and express my heartfelt gratitude to the people of Bihar,” he said.
He said the youth of Bihar have affirmed that the new decade will belong to the state and “aatmanirbhar Bihar” will be its roadmap.
“The youth of Bihar have shown their trust in their abilities and in the NDA’s resolve. This youth’s energy has motivated the NDA to work harder than before,” he said.
The ruling alliance has drawn support from all sections of society, including the rural region, poor, farmers, workers and traders, he said.
Highlighting the higher polling share of women in the assembly elections, the prime minister said their record participation has shown how big a role they have in “aatmanirbhar Bihar”. The NDA is glad that it got a chance to infuse renewed self-confidence in the woman power, he said.
Bihar gave the world its first lessons in democracy, he said in a reference to the historical republic of Vaishali, and added that the state has again shown the world as to how to strengthen democracy. “Bihar’s poor, deprived and women have voted in record numbers and today have given their decisive verdict for development,” Modi said. Taking to his official Twitter handle, Home Minister Amit Shah congratulated Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and party workers for an “imminent” victory in the Bihar Assembly elections. He also credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for NDA’s superb performance in the elections.
