Nitish, Lalu decimate BJP, say 'Bihar election results will have national impact'

NEW DELHI: The Bihar election results on Sunday saw Grand Alliance leaders Nitish Kumar and Lalu Prasad have the last laugh as they decimated the BJP-led NDA in a bitterly-contested assembly polls. The Mahagathbandhan of Nitish Kumar and Lalu Prasad swept the poll bagging 178 assembly seats, five less than the three-fourth majority mark in the 243-member assembly. The BJP-led NDA could manage only 58 seats, while other political parties and independents got only 7 seats. "The result of Bihar elections will have national impact," said Grand Alliance leaders Nitish Kumar and Lalu Prasad in their first press interaction after the resounding victory. The two leaders spoke of plans for forging a strong national alternative as an "effective opposition" to the BJP. Chief minister Nitish Kumar said efforts to polarize the society have been rejected in the "milestone" Bihar elections and its results have reflected the mood of the nation that they wanted a strong alternative at the national level. "A very aggressive campaign was run (by BJP) and attempts were made to create a certain situation. People have rejected it, rejected attempts to polarise and expressed their view. This is a huge mandate and we expect it with all the humility," Nitish Kumar said. However, he also insisted that he will not hold grudges against anybody despite the bitter campaign and will work together with all keeping a positive mindset as he sought the Centre's cooperation for the progress of Bihar. RJD chief Lalu Prasad said the Grand Alliance will launch a nation-wide stir against the "communal" Narendra Modi government. Lalu said he will tour the country to create a people's movement. Surprising many pollsters, Lalu Prasad's RJD emerged as the single largest party in the state with 80 seats in its kitty. It was a great comeback for Lalu, whose party had managed only 22 seats in the 2010 assembly elections and 4 seats in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. Putting all speculations to rest, at least for now, Lalu declared that Nitish Kumar will continue as the chief minister. It will be the third consecutive term for Nitish Kumar. Toi