'A Slap For BJP's Dirty Hate Politics': Arvind Kejriwal On Bihar Verdict

NEW DELHI:  If the BJP's "interference" in governance in states does not stop, chief ministers from various states may form a coalition against it, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal told NDTV today. "Today's result is a slap in the face of hate politics of BJP," said the Delhi Chief Minister - who has been at loggerheads with the Centre over a number of issues - during an interview. "The result also shows that people are fed up with the working style of PM Modi," Mr Kejriwal said. The Chief Minister and his West Bengal counterpart Mamata Banerjee had been among the first to congratulate Nitish Kumar as the Grand Alliance established a lead against the NDA during counting of votes in the Bihar assembly elections on Sunday. In their tweets, both leaders accused the BJP of pursuing what they called the "politics of hate". Asked if an alliance of like-minded chief ministers was likely now, especially in view of Mr Kumar's plan to forge a strong alternative to the BJP nationally, Mr Kejriwal said, "I am not thinking of any alliance right now. But the Centre is regularly interfering with Delhi. If this continues there will be a coalition of chief ministers against PM Modi." Taking a dig at the BJP, Mr Kejriwal said "Even some BJP chief ministers were unhappy with the Centre... all power is concentrated with Amit Shah and PM Modi." "Crackers being burned by the BJP today because the top leadership was becoming too proud," he added. Mr Kejriwal had been a vocal supporter of Mr Kumar, another arch-rival of PM Modi. In the run-up to the Bihar elections, he had even asked all the Biharis living in Delhi to vote for Mr Kumar. The Trinamool too, has often been seen coming out in support of Mr Kumar and Mr Kejriwal. Today, its national spokesperson and lawmaker Derek O' Brien said, "Nitish, Mamata, Arvind and a few others are already working in great cohesion inside and outside Parliament for a while now. This bond will now strengthen and more parties will join." Earlier today, Mr Kumar said the Bihar mandate indicated that the people wanted a strong alternative to the BJP. "The results have made it clear that people want a robust opposition and strong alternative at the national level," he said.   NDTV