Thursday, February 10 2005 14:15 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Ranchi: BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) president L K Advani today (Feb 10, 2005) said that JD-U (Janata Dal-United) leader Nitish Kumar should be the Chief Minister in the event of the NDA (National Democratic Alliance) coming to power in Bihar.

"When the NDA was in a position to form the Government after the 2000 Assembly elections in Bihar, the leadership had been entrusted on Nitish Kumar. So this time too it is proper to leave the responsibility on him," the former Deputy Prime Minister told reporters in Ranchi.

"Besides this, Nitish has also showed his capabilities as a Union Minister during the NDA regime," he said.

Advani, who was on his way to address election meetings in Jharkhand, claimed that strong winds of change were sweeping across Bihar.

"The people want to break free from jungle Raj there and they also want a Government, which can ensure security and development in the future," he said.

Stating that the NDA had been written off in Bihar and Jharkhand by some pandits immediately after the Lok Sabha elections, Advani claimed the situation had "improved to a great extent" in the State.