Nitish Kumar leaves for Delhi amid speculations about JD(U) joining Union government
“I do not know why his Delhi tour is being linked to the proposed Cabinet reshuffle,” mentioned Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan, one of many closest aides of Nitish Kumar.
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Tuesday left for the nationwide capital, purportedly for medical causes, although speculations ran rife that bargaining an honest share within the Union Cabinet was additionally on the agenda of the JD(U) de-facto chief.
The JD(U) has been a BJP ally for shut to 3 many years, barring a hiatus in 2013-2017.
Mr. Kumar, who had himself served within the Cabinet headed by late Atal Bihari Vajpayee, turned down the supply of the saffron social gathering of a “token representation” to all alliance companions after the 2019 Lok Sabha polls which noticed Prime Minister Narendra Modi steering the BJP to a thumping majority.
“I do not know why his Delhi tour is being linked to the proposed Cabinet reshuffle. To the best of my knowledge, he needs treatment for some eye problem and is visiting the national capital for the purpose,” mentioned Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan, one of many closest aides of Mr. Kumar.
The Union Cabinet reshuffle is a prerogative of the Prime Minister and it’s for him to determine whom to carry consultations with on the difficulty, Mr. Singh mentioned.
Mr. Singh, who has been with Mr. Kumar ever for the reason that latter broke ranks with Lalu Prasad to chart his personal political course, is seen as one of many candidates the JD(U) may strongly again, had been it to affix the Union Council of Ministers.
Another Ministerial possible RCP Singh, who succeeded Mr. Kumar because the nationwide president of the social gathering a number of months in the past, laughed off on the suggestion however dropped ample hints that the JD(U) was now eyeing a spot within the Union government.
“My name has been doing the rounds since 2017. Any decision as to who will be in the Union Cabinet from our party has to be taken by our leader. Of course, he does so after consulting all,” mentioned Mr. Singh, a former IAS officer whose rise in politics, after retirement from service about a decade in the past, has been meteoric.
He mentioned, “We agree, it does not look good that we are partners in power in the State but not at the Centre, though we are a part of the NDA there as well. Things will look up for both parties once we join the Union government.” He additionally took a swipe at LJP chief Chirag Paswan, who has been cornered inside the social gathering following a revolt by all his fellow MPs who’ve floated a separate faction.
“I heard his two statements that he is the son of a tiger (late Ram Vilas Paswan) and that he is now an orphan. Has anybody ever heard of a tiger lamenting for being orphaned?” the JD(U) chief mentioned.
The JD(U) suffered within the Assembly polls final yr due to Paswan’s sudden rebel, initially believed to be having the backing of the BJP which has now distanced itself from the Jamui MP.