Nitish Kumar Focuses on Seat Sharing as Top Priority, Clarifies Not Pursuing Convener Role

Patna: JDU Chief Spokesperson Neeraj Kumar while attacking the Congress party stated “Has the Congress advertised the vacancy for the convener's post? There have been repeated mentions of Nitish Kumar's name for the convener role. However, Nitish Kumar has not submitted an application for the convener post with the Congress. It is highly objectionable that Congress leaders are making statements about Nitish Kumar's potential appointment. The Congress should focus on nationwide seat-sharing to directly challenge the BJP on all fronts. Nitish Kumar, who has worked towards opposition unity, is not seeking any position.” Since Nitish Kumar's departure from the NDA and alliance with Lalu Prasad Yadav, he has actively pursued opposition unity by engaging with leaders like Rahul Gandhi, Mamata Banerjee, Sharad Pawar, Arvind Kejriwal, Stalin, Akhilesh Yadav, and left leaders. A meeting in Patna in June 2022 laid the groundwork for a united opposition against the BJP, with leaders emphasizing the need to overcome differences for a collective fight. Mamata Banerjee had than said “In our quest to defeat the BJP, we will resolve all our differences and we will be united.” All the parties subsequently met again in Bengaluru, Mumbai and Delhi but no concrete plan of leadership seat sharing plan have evolved so far for the INDI alliance, with the Lok Sabha elections only two months away. Time and again Nitish Kumar had urged that a concrete roadmap pertaining to nation wide seat sharing and leadership should be declared. In November, Nitish Kumar sarcastically remarked on Congress' preoccupation with state assembly elections, saying, "The Congress is busy with assembly elections in five states. They don't have time to develop a roadmap to defeat the BJP." After the removal of JDU President Lalan Singh, allegedly close to Lalu Prasad Yadav, Congress leader Salman Khurshid has reportedly approached Nitish Kumar with an offer for the convener's post, aiming to prevent potential disruptions within the INDI alliance. Bihar Congress President Akhilesh Singh expressed confidence in Nitish Kumar's governance track record, stating, "Nitish Kumar has the credentials for the INDI alliance convener role."

Why did Lalan Singh resign?

Nitish's decision to remove JDU President Lalan Singh, just two months before the Lok Sabha elections, has sparked speculation. One theory suggests Lalan Singh's growing proximity to Lalu Prasad Yadav and Tejashwi Yadav, possibly planning defections within the JDU. Another theory suggests Mamata Banerjee's proposal of Mallikarjun Kharge as the PM face, allegedly blocking Nitish's name, influenced the move. While Nitish Kumar and Lalu Prasad Yadav maintained a good relationship, events on Rabri Devi's birthday on January 1, raised questions as Nitish neither visited nor called to greet Lalu Prasad Yadav and Rabri Devi. Now, the looming question is whether Nitish Kumar will accept the notional convener offer from the Congress or if he is contemplating a political realignment. Both Nitish Kumar and Lalu Prasad Yadav shared a good bonhomie, ever since the Mahagathbandhan 2.0 was forged in August 2022 . Nitish Kumar used to Visit Lalu Yadav's house very frequently. But on January 1, on the occasion of Rabri Devis birthday , Nitish Kumar not only did not visit but also did not make a call to greet Lalu Prasad Yadav and Rabri Devi. Now the question is will Nitish Kumar take the notional convener post offer by the Congress party or is he planning a political realignment?