Nitish's 'last election' remark due to BJP's pressure?

Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar’s stunner that the ongoing assembly elections were his last, triggered hectic speculation in the political circles. However, if sources are to be believed Nitish Kumar's remark came because of exerting pressure from the BJP.

Patna: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's remark that this would be his 'last election' has raised eyebrows in the political circles and stunned his audience. JD(U) supremo's remark amid the growing rifts between his party and BJP at this time has made the poll matrix complicated.

The Bihar Chief Minister was campaigning for a candidate of his Janata Dal-United in Purnia when he said: "This is the last day of election. The day after this election will end and this is my last election. Ant bhala to sab bhala (All's well that ends well)."

However, this is the first time that Nitish Kumar has given such a remark. However, party sources close to him clarified that his remark meant the last meeting of this election. The party sources also said that words of the Chief Minister were used by the opposition parties to gain political mileage. The opposition parties reacted sharply to the leader's remark and said that Nitish Kumar has accepted defeat.

Nitish Kumar has been in the news for unsavoury happenings. From Kumar losing his cool when pro-Lalu slogans were raised in his rally to onions and stones being hurled towards his dias, the leader gave an angry response replying 'aur phenko, aur phenko'.

If Nitish Kumar wins this time, he would probably be the first chief minister of the state break the records of Shri Krishna Singh who had ruled the state for fifteen years. With the audience looking up to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his public meetings and rallies, Kumar seems to be little behind in the league. During his rallies, Kumar's statements were attributed more towards the development of the nation rather than the state.

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However, NDA has reiterated that if it wins, Nitish Kumar would be the chief minister. But reports suggest that there are growing rifts among the leaders in the NDA camp. A recent survey has also revealed that 31 per cent of people want Nitish Kumar to be re-elected as the Chief Minister of Bihar.

Sources have said that NDA is not satisfied with its performance in the first two phases of the elections. With so much happening in Nitish's rally, even BJP leaders are worried about their victory in the polls.

Nitish Kumar's main competition is with RJD supremo and Chief Ministerial candidate of Mahagathbandhan Tejashwi Prasad Yadav. One cannot sideline RLSP Chief Upendra Kushwaha, Asaduddin Owaisi's AIMIM and Pappu Yadav's JAP.

But, eyes are fixed on Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) chief Chirag Paswan who has decided to go solo, snapping old ties with NDA. People also attended, in heavy numbers, rallies and roadshows of LJP president Chirag Paswan who has created a buzz by virtue of his strident criticism of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and the gumption to go solo despite repeated claims of loyalty towards the BJP.

In his rallies, junior Paswan has said that Nitish Kumar is going to lose in this election and LJP-BJP will form the government in Bihar. None of the BJP leaders has strongly criticised Paswan for his remarks. It is somehow very clear that LJP will act as vote splitter for JD(U). Party sources said that BJP workers don't want Nitish Kumar to be the Chief Minister.

READ: Bihar: Nitish's 'last election' remark draw varied responses