Nitish holds meetings with NDA netas over new govt contours

Patna: Political activity in Patna gathered pace on Saturday as the NDA moved closer to a leadership transition in Bihar, with CM Nitish Kumar holding a series of meetings with senior JD(U) and BJP leaders to discuss the contours of the new govt.According to alliance sources, Nitish Kumar is likely to submit his resignation as CM on April 13 or 14 after presiding over a cabinet meeting. The swearing-in of the new BJP-led govt is expected between April 14 and 16 at Lok Bhawan. The day saw intense consultations at the CM’s residence. Deputy CMs Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha met Nitish Kumar in the evening to discuss issues related to the transfer of power and govt formation. Soon after, Vijay Kumar Sinha visited Lok Bhawan and held a 30-minute meeting with governor Ata Hasnain. He declined to comment publicly on either meeting.Earlier, parliamentary affairs minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary and JD(U) national working president Sanjay Jha met Nitish Kumar for nearly two hours. Their discussions are understood to have focused on the structure and composition of the incoming government.JD(U) state president Umesh Singh Kushwaha also called on the CM and later said the new govt would function in line with Nitish Kumar’s guidance. He said the state administration was currently running under Nitish’s leadership and that his influence would continue in the future, adding that the media would be informed at the appropriate time.Amid speculation over the next CM, senior BJP leader and industries minister Dilip Kumar Jaiswal said he was not a contender for the top post.SC/ST welfare minister Lakhendra Kumar Raushan, who also met Nitish Kumar, said the next govt would be formed under the CM’s guidance. He said the decision on the next CM would be taken collectively by the NDA leadership.Separately, Nitish Kumar’s son Nishant Kumar held a meeting with JD(U) MLAs at the CM’s residence. Those present included Arun Manjhi, Bablu Mandal, Ramchandra Sada, Manish Kumar and Pramod Singh.