Amit Shah concedes defeat in Bihar polls, says 'we respect people's mandate'

New Delhi, Nov 8: Bharatiya Janata Party president Amit Shah on Sunday said his party respects the people's mandate in Bihar and congratulated Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for winning the assembly polls.

"I congratulate Nitish Kumar and (Rashtriya Janata Dal chief) Lalu Prasad Yadav on their win," Shah tweeted.

श्री नीतीश कुमार और श्री लालू प्रसाद यादव को बिहार विधानसभा चुनाव जीतने पर बधाई देता हूँ।

— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) November 8, 2015

हम बिहार की जनता के जनादेश का सम्मान करते हैं | नई सरकार को मेरी शुभकामनाएं कि वह बिहार को विकास के पथ पर आगे ले जाए |

— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) November 8, 2015

"We respect the mandate of people of Bihar. Good wishes to the new government, hope they take Bihar much ahead in terms of development," he added.

The polls to the 243-member Bihar assembly took place in five phases between October 12 and November 5.

Counting of millions of votes cast in the polls is underway on Sunday.

IANS