Arrow is the election symbol of the Janata Dal-United (JD-U), which led the grand secular alliance – also comprising the Congress and the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), whereas ‘lantern’ is the symbol of RJD. The Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) election symbol is ‘lotus’.
After the poll results indicated towards the victory of the grand alliance, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar immediately called a press conference and thanked everyone, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress president Sonia Gandhi, who had congratulated him and the alliance for the thumping victory.
Asserting that the Bihar poll outcome will have national implications, Kumar stressed that the results had made it clear that people wanted a strong alternative at the national level and had rejected attempts at polarising the society.
He added that the Bihar results reflected the mood of the nation and described it as a “milestone election”, while thanking people for the decisive mandate.
He also asserted that despite a bitter campaign, he would not hold “grudge against anybody and work together with all”, keeping a positive mindset as he sought the Centre’s cooperation for the progress of Bihar.
The JD(U) leader also noted that despite an aggressive campaign by the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and its attempts at polarising the electorate, the massive mandate showed that people across communities had certain expectations and he would try his best to fulfil them.
Kumar is set to become the Chief Minister for the third consecutive term. He suggested that the Bihar elections had a national context and it was now imperative that they work together to provide a strong alternative. He was accompanied by RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav and Bihar Congress chief Ashok Chowdhary.
“The Bihar poll outcome will have national implications as it had attracted nation-wide attention. The results have made it clear that people want a robust opposition and 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 and their attempts to polarise. This is a huge mandate and we accept it with all humility,” he said.
He added: “Such a big victory would not have been possible without support from all sections of the society.”
Kumar said the process of forming the new government like meeting of the legislature parties of the grand alliance partners, separately and together, will happen soon. Asked about the new government’s priorities, he said it was already put out in their joint manifesto and stressed on his vision of inclusive growth. “Everyone has congratulated us, including the Prime Minister. Whatever may have happened during the polls, we will expect that Bihar gets support from the Centre. It is a victory for the people of Bihar and the people have rejected attempts at polarisation,” Kumar said.
“Just received a phone call from the Prime Minister congratulating me..@narendramodi thank you Modiji,” he said in a series of tweets.
He also thanked West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for supporting the grand alliance. “@MamataOfficial thank you Mamata Ji,” he said in another tweet. The Chief Minister also expressed his gratitude towards the Congress president. He tweeted: “Thank you Sonia Ji for your congratulatory phone call.” Kumar also thanked Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for his support and congratulatory message.
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik also congratulated Kumar for the resounding victory of the Grand Alliance. Yadav said Bihar polls will have “long-term results”. He added: “I will take our lantern (RJD election symbol) and move around everywhere in the country and will see what work has happened in villages adopted by BJP leaders.”