Nitish Kumar seeks alternate name for INDIA bloc, criticizes Rahul Gandhi
Nitish Kumar criticized Rahul Gandhi, alleging that he is attempting to falsely take credit for the Bihar caste census.
In Patna, Bihar’s Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who recently left the INDIA bloc and formed an alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party, stated on Wednesday that he had advised the Congress and other opposition alliance members against naming the political coalition ‘Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance or INDIA’. Justifying his decision to align with the rival National Democratic Alliance, the veteran leader of the Janata Dal (United) criticized the alliance’s failure to conclude seat-sharing agreements for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
“I was suggesting alternative names for the alliance, but they had already settled on it. I made considerable efforts, but they remained inactive. Even now, they haven’t determined the allocation of seats among alliance parties. That’s why I departed from them and returned to my original affiliation. My commitment remains to serving the people of Bihar,” he stated, as reported by news agency ANI.
Nitish Kumar also criticized Rahul Gandhi, alleging that he is attempting to unjustly take credit for the Bihar caste census.
“He seems to have overlooked the timing of the caste census. I oversaw it with the participation of nine parties. Throughout 2019-2020, I consistently advocated for conducting the caste census, discussing it in various forums from legislative assemblies to public gatherings… He is falsely claiming credit; I can’t control that. Let it be,” he remarked.
The Janata Dal (United), led by Kumar, pointed fingers at the Congress for his departure. KC Tyagi, a leader of the party, accused the Congress of orchestrating a scheme to seize control of the leadership of the INDIA bloc by having Mamata Banerjee suggest Mallikarjun Kharge as the prime ministerial candidate for the alliance.
In response to Kumar’s decision, the Congress labeled him as being akin to a chameleon.
This is fourth time over the last 10 years that Nitish Kumar has switched sides. He was instrumental in bringing the Opposition under the umbrella alliance. He also organized the first meeting of the INDIA bloc.
Since JD(U)’s move to the NDA, the two sides have been sniping at each other.
While JD(U) leader KC Tyagi labeled the Congress as politically untouchable, Jairam Ramesh expressed satisfaction at Kumar’s departure, stating it was “good riddance.”
“There will be no detrimental impact on the INDIA bloc due to Kumar’s departure. Many leaders are relieved and are saying ‘thank goodness he’s gone.’ It’s a welcomed departure. While Kumar played a role in hosting the initial meeting of opposition leaders in Patna and attended subsequent gatherings, his recent actions did not inspire confidence, though his intentions remained unclear. His significant shift occurred shortly after Mamata Banerjee announced her party’s intention to contest the upcoming general elections independently in Bengal,” Ramesh stated, as quoted by PTI.
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