While re-emphasising on the need for a grand alliance of secular forces across the country against the BJP, Bihar CM Nitish Kumar skirted the question of his plan to emerge as a candidate for the post of PM. He said, “It is up to the people to decide who the PM of the country will be. I cannot judge myself and its people who can assess the capability of person for any post.” He was talking to reporters in Patna a day after he took over as JD(U) chief. He stressed on the need for bringing secular and all like-minded parties together before the 2019 general election.
He said he was working out a strategy to form unity in the country against the BJP.
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar who had initiated the discussion of merger with parties like Rastriya Lok Dal and Jharkhand Vikas Morcha while referring to the success of grand secular alliance in the 2015 assembly election in Bihar said that he was working out strategy to strike a deal with other parties.
Though he didn’t reveal any name but he said “Bringing all like-minded and anti – BJP forces together would mean bringing anti BJP ideology together on one platform”. Adding to this he said “success in Bihar election is an example in front everyone”.
He said that issues like black money and non – fulfilment of poll promises like generating employments for youths will the agenda of the parties who will come together against the BJP.
When asked whether Samajwadi Party would be a part of his efforts to bring all anti – BJP forces together at the national level he said, “Once we had tried to bring Samajwadi Party together and we had even accepted Mulayam Singh Yadav”.
Bihar Chief Minister also rubbished all speculations that former JD (U) Chief Sharad Yadav was retiring. He said that, “Mr. Sharad Yadav will continue to guide the party”.
