Was Nitish Kumar offered PM post by INDIA bloc? What JDU Leader Said? What Congress Said?

Janata Dal (United) chief Nitish Kumar was reportedly offered the prime ministerial post by the Opposition INDIA bloc after the Lok Sabha election-2024 results were announced. JDU leader KC Tyagi has made this claim. 

This revelation comes amid speculation that the INDIA bloc is attempting to bring Nitish Kumar back into the alliance to prevent the NDA from securing a third consecutive term in government. However, Tyagi clarified that the JDU has declined all offers from the opposition and intends to continue its alliance with the NDA for the next five years.

"Nitish Kumar's speech in support of Prime Minister Narendra Modi should dispel all circulating rumors. These reports should have ceased when we (JDU) joined the NDA," Tyagi stated to the media.

"We were disappointed by how our leader was treated by Congress and its allies, prompting us to take a different direction. Those who once deemed Nitish Kumar unfit to lead the alliance are now proposing him for the position of Prime Minister. Nonetheless, the JDU has already rejected all such offers," he further stated.

Special status to Bihar is crucial for state's development

Tyagi also emphasized their primary demand for granting special status to Bihar, which he argued is crucial for the state's development.

Tyagi expressed that during the state's division, Bihar lost essential resources like coal mines to Jharkhand, resulting in challenges such as unemployment, poverty, and significant migration. He emphasized that granting special status to Bihar is crucial for the state's advancement.

Speculation arose regarding a potential reunion between Nitish Kumar and the INDIA bloc on Tuesday evening, following indications that the BJP would not secure 272 seats independently.

Sources suggest that the JDU is poised to secure two significant positions in the new cabinet under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, scheduled to be sworn in tomorrow. The party has put forward two senior leaders, Lalan Singh and Ram Nath Thakur, for these roles. Lalan Singh represents Bihar's Munger in the Lok Sabha, while Ram Nath Thakur, a Rajya Sabha MP, is the son of Bharat Ratna awardee Karpoori Thakur.

Congress Responds

On Saturday, the Congress responded to Janata Dal (United) leader KC Tyagi's statement claiming that Nitish Kumar was offered the prime minister's post by the INDIA bloc.

"We don't have any such information," Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal stated at a press briefing following the Congress Working Committee meeting.