New Delhi/ Patna:
Will he allow Narendra Modi to attend his swearing-in? During this interview to NDTV's Prannoy Roy, Nitish Kumar takes that tough question, and explains whether he has any interest in being PM someday.
He also says he never takes time off. Despite his hectic campaign, he'll be back at work on Thursday.
ENTIRE TRANSCRIPT
NDTV: Congratulations on a landslide win. What do you believe were the main reasons for your victory?
Nitish: Thank you...Thank you..Your visit is always auspicious for us! You visited Bihar with your team last , during last election also. We got absolute majority and this time your visit paved the way for landslide victory.
NDTV: What would you say the first time around it was an Anti-Lalu vote, and this time it's a pro-Nitish vote?
Nitish: Actually anti-Lalu vote was there in February 2005. But no government was formed. So in October 2005, there was a positive element also. This time it's a different kind of mandate and I think that this is the victory of the people of Bihar , the victory of Bihar , the identity of Bihar. So it's not my victory or NDA has won or my colleagues have won, the people of Bihar have won in this election.
NDTV: In the first phase of these polls, you said you were looking at quantity and this time it was quality- what exactly did you mean?
Nitish: We have already planned about these things. We had the problem of out of school children, so we thought of quantity during last election. But this time we will actually emphasize on quantity and quality as well and for that we have so many schemes in our mind.
NDTV: Is it back to work from tomorrow or are you going to rest? Does Nitish Kumar know the meaning of " holiday?"
Nitish: You know, we have to continue our work. I have not taken any holiday unless if I am suffering from fever or something like that - otherwise I don't take any leave. So I have to work. I like working.
NDTV: What would you say to Lalu- would you say it's all over?
Nitish: No, I extend the hands of cooperation and I seek - with his party and other opposition parties - support for building a better Bihar.
NDTV: So you're saying it's not over yet for him?
Nitish: That I can't say. I am not astrologer, but you know everybody has his or her own time. People gave them opportunity not for one year or two years..continuously for 15 years. So any way, it is not the day to discuss those things
NDTV: Despite your alliance with the BJP, the Muslims voted for you.
Nitish: Of course, not only Muslims ...all communities a. Woman voted us in large numbers. They came out from their houses to cast their vote and primarily they have voted for us. Present is clear. The young people , people belonging to weaker sections of the society, minority primarily, every section voted for us - every section. So that's why I mention this is the victory of Bihar..People of Bihar and victory of identity of Bihar
NDTV: is that because you kept Narendra Modi out of Bihar?
Nitish: We have worked for every section of the society. Every section of the society.. that's why we have got the confidence and trust of almost all sections of the society and people have faith on us.
NDTV: Is Narendra Modi going to be invited to the swearing-in?
Nitish: Why are you asking this question? Can't we have a low-key affair? It's just continuity of a mandate.
NDTV: If you met the prime minister, what would you ask for from the central government? You have complained about them not cooperating.
Nitish: Today itself, I have made a request to respected Prime minister. He was kind enough to congratulate me after election results and we expect better support from the centre. And without central government's support, how far can we go? You know we are doing national service. Bihar was considered a laggard state. Now we are trying hard to shift to the path of progress. So it's the responsibility of everybody..the Congress party, the central government. It's the responsibility of everybody to help Bihar develop and in a way, it's the service of nation.
NDTV: Now everybody wants to know if Nitish can become Prime Minister one day.
Nitish: No, thank you. Not at all. Please excuse me. People want me to serve Bihar and I love to serve Bihar . I do not look beyond that and I am not capable of handling that great responsibility.
NDTV: To Rahul, you said "Become CM before you become PM." You've been CM, so is PM next?
Nitish: That chapter is over now - actually every day they were you know telling something to us. So just I advised what do you know what problems the state governments are facing? You must know. So it was not in any, you know, bad taste.