Bihar Chief Minister and Janata Dal (United) leader Nitish Kumar was reportedly offered the prime ministerial position by the Opposition INDIA bloc as part of their strategy to bring him into the alliance, according to JD(U) leader KC Tyagi. However, Tyagi mentioned that Nitish Kumar declined the offer and remains committed to the BJP-led NDA.Â
In an exclusive interview with Aaj Tak/India Today TV, Tyagi stated, "Nitish Kumar got an offer from the INDIA bloc to become the Prime Minister. He got the offer from those people who did not allow him to become the convenor of the INDIA bloc. He has refused it and we are firmly with the NDA."
Responding to Tyagi's claim, Congress leader KC Venugopal denied any knowledge of such an offer, saying at a press conference, "We have no such information. Only he knows about this (claim)."
The INDIA bloc, which performed well in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, securing 234 out of 543 seats, had been speculated to be attempting to bring JD(U) and TDP into its fold to bolster its numbers. Despite these efforts, the NDA emerged victorious with 293 seats, and the BJP won 240 seats, falling 32 short of the majority mark.
When asked for specifics on who made the prime ministerial offer to Nitish Kumar, Tyagi declined to name any leaders. He emphasized that JD(U) left the INDIA bloc due to perceived mistreatment of Nitish Kumar and other party leaders, reaffirming their commitment to the NDA.Â
Nitish Kumar has a history of shifting political alliances. He initially severed ties with the BJP in 2013 to join hands with the RJD and Congress, but rejoined the BJP in 2019. He switched alliances again in 2020 to form a government with the RJD and Congress, before returning to the NDA fold in January 2024.Â
Recently, Nitish Kumar, whose party won 12 seats in the Lok Sabha polls, attended the NDA parliamentary meeting where Narendra Modi was elected as the NDA Parliamentary Party Leader.
