Nitish sees Mamata, governor off at airport

PATNA: Accompanied by three women cabinet colleagues, Bihar CM Nitish Kumar on Monday went to the state hanger of the local airport to see off his West Bengal counterpart Mamata Banerjee and West Bengal governor Keshari Nath Tripathi.

Tripathi, who is holding the additional charge of Bihar governor, was here to administer the oath of office to Nitish as CM on Sunday, while Banerjee arrived here on Sunday to attend the swearing-in ceremony.

Officials said, as a mark of respect to Tripathi and Banerjee, Nitish went to the state hanger and expressed his gratefulness to the duo by offering them bouquets. Nitish told Banerjee he was very grateful to her for attending the swearing-in ceremony. State's social welfare minister Lesie Singh, backward class welfare minister Bima Bharti and sugarcane industries minister Ranju Geeta also accompanied the CM, mainly to see Banerjee off.

Earlier in the day, Nitish met hundreds of common people by turns and workers of JD (U), RJD, Congress and CPI who had gathered at his residence from across Bihar to greet him on becoming the CM for the fourth term. The visitors offered garlands and bouquets to the CM who reciprocated with folded hands.

Nitish urged the visitors to help and guide him in restoring good governance, peace and an environment of harmony across the state. He urged the JD (U) workers to play a proactive role in assisting local administration in their bid to maintain peace in their respective areas and bringing back the concept of sushasan (good governance).