Bihar verdict: A win of self-respect of Bihar, Nitish Kumar says

Patna: After vanquishing the BJP allies in Bihar polls, Nitish Kumar and Lalu Prasad Yadav seemed elated over the stunning victory. Nitish said the people of Bihar have shown faith in Grand Alliance and rejected all the surveys which showed a 'neck to neck' fight.

"This is a win for the Bihari pride and Bihari's self-respect. This is the win of Bihari emotions and Bihari people," the Bihar CM-elect said.

Here is what Nitish Kumar said at the joint press conference held at his residence, shortly after Lalu addressed the media:

Nitish thanked the people of the state for the decisive verdict, assuring them that his government would like to be true to their promises and work for the welfare of people.

We knew we will win with astounding majority and people have given a decisive mandate as against the speculation of tight fight.

"We would work without any ill will and want a tolerant society. The people have rejected polarisation and have made up their mind in choosing us after a due consideration.

"We will work with a shared agenda for Bihar and remain united…This is a win of people and grand alliance. We never had any issues since the inception of the Grand Alliance," he said.

We thank all the leaders including Modi Ji, Kejriwal Ji, Mamata Ji and all the other people who tweeted and congratulated.

"We expect Centre's help and will have a positive frame of mind for the development of Bihar and India," he added.

Our alliance will show that same unity in working for Bihar as was shown during the election.

This shows that people wanted an empowered and stable Opposition and this poll will have a national impact. The whole nation was watching the elections and people are happy over the Bihar verdict, he said.

"We will keep a positive frame of mind and work for the betterment of Bihar," Nitish said, adding that, "We won't harbour any bad faith for anyone during next five years. We will work with all of them and for all of them."

This win affirms Bihar's faith in the development of Bihar and gives us a hope.

Nitish said that this mandate was for 'unity' and "we vow to work according to the mandate," adding that the people of Bihar had made their mind who to vote for.

He said it was a verdict against the 'negative campaign' and the situation that was being 'created' by some people. Bihar rejected all those speculations and designs.

People voted from all sections of society, from Dalits, women, upper and lower castes and all the religion, Nitish added.

RJD chief Lalu Yadav later addressed the press conference and lauded the people of Bihar for shunning "divisive politics."

"Modi is busy campaigning for the Sangh. He thought it was Haryana. Biharis are not simpletons, and they know how to give a fitting reply to cunning people. They have rejected BJP and Modi, Lalu said.

We never though that we will have less than 190 seats. This mandate, as I spoke in all the meetings, means Nitish Kumar will be the CM, Lalu remarked.

"We thank the great people of Bihar, especially the backward, minority, Dalit and poor from the upper caste people," said Lalu.