Congress calls JD(U)-BJP govt. formation 'unfortunate'

The Congress on Friday called the Janata Dal (United) (JD(U))-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Government formation in Bihar 'unfortunate,' adding the Opposition is fighting to keep the nation together.

"This is very unfortunate as far as our fight to keep the nation united and to be united is concerned. Nitish knew this from beginning that charges are put on Lalu Prasad Yadav and his family and they are under investigation so this is not a new thing. In this context, saying that he resigned because of corruption, and immediately shook hands with the BJP against whom he was standing, seems inappropriate," Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar told ANI.

He added that people in Bihar said that they do not want BJP but Lalu, Nitish and Rahul.

"That is why the grand alliance was formed," Aiyar said.

Nitish, on July 26, resigned as Bihar Chief Minister citing political differences with former ally, Lalu Yadav-led Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), over corruption charges against RJD supremo's son Tejashwi Yadav.

He, however, on Thursday, took oath as Bihar Chief Minister for the sixth time, marking a historic transition of the state from a Grand Alliance government to an NDA regime.

Yesterday, Nitish and BJP leader Sushil Modi were sworn-in as Bihar Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister respectively, and former was asked to prove his majority on the floor by Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar won the floor test with 131 votes against 108 in Lalu's favour earlier in the day.