In a pivotal development, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has taken charge as the president of Janata Dal (United) [JD(U)] after the incumbent national president, Rajiv Ranjan Singh (Lalan Singh), offered to resign during the national executive meeting in New Delhi. The decision, driven by the party’s national executive, is seen as a move in the larger interest of both the party and the nation.
The meeting, which began today, was shrouded in speculation about Lalan Singh stepping down to pave the way for Nitish Kumar’s return to the party’s top post. The decisions made during the executive meeting are set to be officially ratified at JD(U)’s national council meeting later in the day.
Bihar minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary explained, “If they accept our proposal then Nitish Kumar will be the party president. Lalan Singh told CM Nitish Kumar that he will be busy with elections, so he wants to hand over the post of party president to him, and Nitish Kumar accepted it.”
Lalan Singh, reiterating Nitish Kumar’s leadership, dismissed rumors about differences between them and suggested that such speculations were being spread at the behest of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Singh sarcastically remarked, “If I have to resign, I will call you (media persons), and consult you about what to write in the resignation letter so that you can go to the BJP office and get the draft.”
Political circles were buzzing with the notion that Nitish Kumar was dissatisfied with Singh’s coordination within the INDIA bloc, formed to counter the BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Nitish Kumar’s assumption of the party presidency is considered a strategic move, signaling a strong stance in alliance dynamics and seat-sharing negotiations within the Grand Alliance.
JD(U), a crucial member of the INDIA bloc, is gearing up for the upcoming general elections, and Nitish Kumar’s reemergence as party president is poised to influence the party’s trajectory.
