Bihar polls a victory of merit over dynasty: Arun Jaitley

NEW DELHI - Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Arun Jaitley on Wednesday described the Bihar election results as a victory of meritorious leadership over dynastic politics.

Talking to reporters here, Jaitley said: “The polls results have showed that politics of Bihar has changed and that “charisma or family” does not win elections.

“That the people wanted a repeat of the government under Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s leadership indicates that it is a victory of hope over fear and optimism over despair. It has changed the political agenda of Bihar now.

Hailing Nitish Kumar and Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi for running a successful government, Jaitley said: “We are proud of their leadership.”

“The NDA ran a government with maturity and integrity,” he added.

Senior BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad also said that development has paid off in Bihar.

“Development has paid off in Bihar. There is a profound level of understanding in between Nitish and the BJP,” he said.

Speaking on the JD(U)-BJP post poll alliance, he said, “Nitish is the leader but he consults us. There is no disconnect in between Bihar BJP and the national leadership,” he added.

BJP leaders comments came as trends showed the Nitish Kumar-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) surging ahead towards a substantive win to retain power in Bihar for a second five-year-term, leading in 180 of the 215 seats at the last count. (ANI)