Nitish Kumar should now gear up to become Prime Minister: Farooq Abdullah

Patna: Congratulating Nitish Kumar who is set to resume his post as Bihar Chief Minister for the fifth time, National Conference (NC) president and former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Dr. Farooq Abdullah on Friday said the senior Janata Dal (United) leader must now start preparing himself to become the next Prime Minister of India.

"It's a new start for India and Nitish should now start making preparations to come to Delhi and become the Prime Minister and we will extend our full support to him for that," Abdullah told the media here before proceeding to attend Nitish's swearing in ceremony.

He also congratulated the people of Bihar for defeating the 'divisive forces' that were waging a 'communal war' in the nation.

"Laud the people of Bihar who chose to elect Nitish and Lalu and opt for development. It's definitely the start of something new," Abdullah added.

Union minister Venkaiah Naidu who also arrived here for the ceremony extended the support of the government for Bihar's development.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav will not attend senior Janata Janata Dal (United) leader Nitish Kumar's swearing-in ceremony in Patna today as he has his hands full with the 'Green UP, Clean UP' campaign in Saifai, UP.

Interestingly, rebel BJP leader Shatrughan Sinha will also not the able to attend his 'good friend's' swearing-in ceremony due to "important personal engagements."

The ceremony will be attended by Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi, former Prime Minister H.D. Devegowda, NCP chief Sharad Pawar, his National Conference counterpart Farooq Abdullah and Congress leaders in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge and Ghulam Nabi Azad among others.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also confirmed that she would attend the ceremony.

Delegations of leaders poured in here and assembled at the venue where Nitish will take his oath as the Chief Minister of Bihar.