Patna: Accepting defeat in Bihar, BJP's state unit said on Sunday that the 'grand alliance' emerged as a "strong social combination" and that the party would analyse its results and poll strategy by visiting every constituency in the coming days.
Expressing satisfaction with a clear mandate, senior BJP leader and former deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi said the party would play the role of a constructive opposition and would cooperate with the new government in Bihar.
He described RJD leader Lalu Prasad as a 'king maker' and 'Big Boss' who, he said, would have a major influence on the new government.
"People have given a clear mandate to the grand alliance. It is good that there is no fractured mandate. It is important for Bihar as it has put to end an atmosphere of political uncertainty. We respect the mandate of the people and bow before it," Modi said, addressing a press conference.
On the reasons for the NDA's defeat, he said, "I think they were successful in putting together a strong alliance. One of the reasons why they were successful is that their alliance was a strong 'social combination'."
"Because it is a clear mandate for five years given to the grand alliance, we will help the government with our support and will play the role of a constructive opposition.
We hope the government works towards development. I congratulate all the leaders of grand alliance and have called both Nitish Kumar and Lalu Prasad," he said.
On Lalu Prasad, whose RJD won the highest number of seats, Modi said, "It is understandable that he will have more influence on the government. He will have more ministers."
Modi also said it was a "cause for worry" that the tally of Nitish Kumar's JD(U) has come down to half from 115 seats, and took a dig at his arrogance saying the comments made at the grand alliance press conference "were not expected of them".
He, however, did not comment on Lalu's unsavoury remarks made against the BJP and its leadership, saying "this is not the time for all this."
Asked if reservation or caste factor has played a role in these polls, he said, "We will have to assess what are the reasons... Caste is always the factor, be it any state. It may not be the only factor."
