Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar declared Tuesday that he was handing over the baton to his deputy Tejashwi Prasad Yadav of the RJD to lead the Grand Alliance in the 2025 assembly elections, while adding that this should not be seen as him seeking to the prime ministership.
The JD(U) patriarch told a conference of MLAs from the seven-party alliance that his objective for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections was to unite all political parties opposing the BJP. “Most political parties in the country seek to depose the BJP from power in Delhi in 2024.” I am not running for Prime Minister; instead, I am striving to bring all non-BJP parties together.
Nitish has often claimed of Tejashwi, the younger of RJD chairman Lalu Prasad’s two sons, “He (Tejashwi) is the leader of the future, under whose guidance the 2025 assembly polls in the state would be fought.”
Tejashwi declined to comment on what the chief minister stated. “Right now, we’re collaborating under Nitish Kumar’s leadership.” The real problem is the Lok Sabha elections in 2024, and we will fight. “Aage ki baat aage hogi, dekha jayega,” he added, “what lies ahead may be dealt with later.”
“I have done a lot of work in Nalanda,” Nitish remarked on Monday during a ceremony in his hometown. Tejashwi will take care of whatever that has to be done.”
“I will lead him even further forward,” the CM remarked, looking at Tejashwi, who was also on the dais. Everything is visible and understandable to you all.”
Nitish’s words did not surprise Bihar Finance Minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary of the JD(U). “He’s been preaching for a long time that the future belongs to Tejashwi ji and other young people like him.”
According to the BJP, Nitish was only playing to the gallery. “If Nitish wishes to appoint someone as his successor, he should have the moral guts to hand over the reins.” He won’t be able to do so since it would spark a mutiny in JD (U). “His party colleagues are already furious that Tejashwi is running the show,” BJP MLA and ex-minister Nitin Navin stated.
The current Assembly’s term ends in November 2025. In reality, after breaking away from the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and joining the Grand Alliance to form a new government, the chief minister has faced insinuations, suggestions, and pressure from various RJD leaders to enable Tejashwi to take his position.
Nitish’s JDU has just 45 members, despite the alliance’s 163 members and the backing of an independent MLA in the 243-seat Assembly. The RJD, on the other hand, has 79. The remainder are affiliated with the Congress and Left parties.
Tejashwi Yadav will head the Bihar alliance in the 2025 assembly elections: Mr. Nitish Kumar
