JD(U) Chief Nitish Declines Convenor Role in INDIA Bloc, Suggests Congress Leader
Patna: JD(U) Chief and Bihar Chief Minister has turned down the offer to take up the key position of convenor of the INDIA (Indian National Development Inclusive Alliance) bloc.
The development occurred during a virtual meeting of the INDIA bloc held on Saturday.
A JD(U) leader disclosed that while the proposal to appoint Nitish Kumar as convenor received unanimous support, he declined the offer and proposed that a credible face from the Congress party assume the key post.
“The offer was made but Nitish Kumar suggested that a credible leader from the Congress party should take the responsibility for the key position”, JD(U) leader and Minister Sanjay Jha told reporters in Patna after the meeting.
Several JD(U) leaders in Patna also highlighted Nitish Kumar’s past remarks, in which he had expressed “no desire for any post” and emphasized the need for unity among the INDIA bloc in facing the BJP at the Centre.
JD(U) leaders in Patna also highlighted Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s role in uniting opposition parties and bringing them on one platform to counter the BJP-led NDA in the Lok Sabha elections.
The opposition coalition against the BJP was formed after a gathering of 16 political parties in Patna on June 23, 2023. The name INDIA was decided on July 18 in Bengaluru.
The development is anticipated to heighten the political pitch in the grand alliance or the Mahagathbandhan in Bihar. Sources suggest that Kumar’s refusal is indicative of his rejection of the nationwide leadership role within the opposition bloc.
Saturday’s virtual meeting was organized to assess the seat-sharing agenda for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, discuss participation in the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra and other key issues concerning the alliance.
According to sources, the seat-sharing deal among the Mahagathbandhan partners in Bihar is likely to be announced after the Makar Sankranti festival.
Reports suggest that Nitish Kumar’s JD(U) has already conveyed to the RJD, Congress and the left that it will contest at least 16 seats it had secured in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Reports also suggest that the JD(U) has staked a claim on the Kishanganj seat where it holds the second position.
Kishanganj is the only seat won by the Congress party during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
