Nitish Kumar calls for united Opposition for 2024 General elections, soon after joining Mahagathbandhan

Political

Nitish Kumar, who was sworn in as Bihar Chief Minister on Wednesday after splitting with the BJP and joining the Grand Alliance to form the state government, called for a unified opposition ahead of the 2024 general elections.

Kumar left the BJP, claiming that the party was attempting to split the JD(U), and joined forces with political rivals RJD in the Mahagathbandhan on Tuesday. Since his move against the NDA, which he had rejoined in 2017, speculations about his future have been rife, with his ‘national ambitions’ making the rounds in the political realm.

However, after being sworn in today, the Chief Minister dismissed any such rumours.

“Those who came to power in 2014, will they be victorious in 2024? I would like all (opposition) to be united for 2024. I am not a contender for any such post (on PM post),” he said while speaking to the reporters here.

Soon after the swearing-in ceremony, Kumar said that the party made the decision together to leave the BJP.

“The party made the decision together (to leave BJP). I did not want to be the Chief Minister after the previous election. But a lot of pressure was put on me to handle the post. When there were talks with them (points towards Tejashwi Yadav), the decision was made. whether I will stay or not (till 2024)…they can say what they want, but I will not live in the year 2014,” the Chief Minister said.

Nitish Kumar was sworn in as Bihar’s Chief Minister, while RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav was appointed as his Deputy.

Also Read: Nitish Kumar, Tejashwi Yadav sworn in as Bihar CM, Deputy-CM

Earlier today, Union Minister Nityanand Rai, responding to speculation about Nitish Kumar’s national ambitions after leaving the NDA, stated that the JD(U) leader will “never be the Prime Minister” of the country, adding that the position of the head of the government is “reserved” for Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“The people of not only Bihar but the entire country have made up their minds and blessed Narendra Modi to be the prime minister for lifetime. The people of this country will not accept anybody else as their PM if there is Narendra Modi. He will never be the Prime Minister. The post of PM is reserved for PM Modi because the poor got its massiha for the first time,’ Rai said.

Tarkishore Prasad, Nitish’s Deputy in the NDA administration from which Kumar resigned yesterday, remarked that if a leader acts on his “own personal goals,” the people of Bihar will respond appropriately.

“In 2017 Nitish Kumar said RJD trying to break JD(U). Yesterday, he said BJP trying to break his party. His decision to split from BJP was well-thought-out. If a leader acts as per his own personal ambitions, Bihar will give a befitting reply,” Prasad said.

BJP leader Shahnawaz Hussain said that Kumar joined hands with the ones who “insulted” him and left the ones who “gave him respect”.

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