'Nayi raftar': Endorsement echo in Modi's praise for Nitish leadership

PRIME Minister Narendra Modi on Friday signalled what many see as a de facto endorsement of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar as the NDA's chief ministerial face, asserting that the ruling alliance, under Nitish's leadership, is poised to achieve a recordbreaking victory in the upcoming assembly elections.

- RAMASHANKAR @ Patna

Speaking to packed crowds during back-to-back rallies in Samastipur and Begusarai, Modi highlighted the NDA's development agenda and governance record, and asserted: "I can now say with full confidence that under Nitish's leadership, NDA will break its own record in Bihar and secure the biggest mandate ever."

The timing of Modi's remarks added weight, coming just a day after the Opposition INDIA bloc announced RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav as its chief ministerial candidate. Some days ago, Union Home Minister Amit Shah had only increased the suspense by saying the legislature party leaders would decide the alliance's CM candidate after the polls.