Stating it as a ‘symbolic’ representation, Bihar CM and JD(U) chief Nitish Kumar refused to join the new Cabinet. But he made clear that, would fully support the government from outside.
While talking to the reporters he told them about his and Amit Shah’s conversation that “This morning the BJP President called me and I told him that I have already communicated my decision to Bhupendraji (Bhupendra Yadav, BJP General Secretary) yesterday itself.”
- Actually, JD(U) refused to accept one ministerial berth for each ally as proposed by the BJP. However, other allies like LJP, Akali Dal, Shiv Sena and RPI(A) joined the new Cabinet.
- Referring with Bhupendra Yadav’s meeting a night after the swearing-in ceremony Kumar said that “We have decided, We are together. Our alliance is for Bihar’s development. We do not wish for symbolic representation”.
- He also said that if at all necessary for JD(U)’s participation in the cabinet then it should be on the basis of “proportion” in Bihar, suggesting the party should get more ministerial berths.
- Also, Kumar refused to comment to a reporter’s question about the BJP inducting five ministers from Bihar, four of them from upper castes, Kumar said that “he did not want to comment on the issue because it was BJP’s prerogative to do what it wants to do about their ministers”.
