New Delhi: The Janata Dal (United), which had earlier voiced for due representation in the Union Cabinet, on Monday dismissed reports linking Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s visit to the national capital with the party’s inclusion in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Cabinet.
JD (U) MP from Bihar’s Munger, Rajiv Ranjan alias Lalan Singh, said “these are all speculations”, adding the Chief Minister is “going to Delhi for his eye treatment”.
“As far as (Union) Cabinet expansion is concerned, it the prerogative of the PM. It is not right to link it with the CM's Delhi visit,” ANI quoted Singh as saying.
The Bihar Chief Minister’s visit to the national capital assumes significance as it comes amid increasing speculations about the Union Cabinet’s expansion and JD (U)’s probable representation in it.
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Reports suggest the Chief Minister is likely to call on Prime Minister Modi and meet BJP president Jagat Prakash Nadda besides others during his visit to Delhi.
This will be Kumar’s second meeting with Prime Minister Modi since assuming power last year.
Kumar, who had met the Prime Minister earlier in February this year, is also likely to discuss the Covid-19 situation in Bihar besides other issues concerning the state.
Earlier this month, JD (U) national president RCP Singh had said that his party should get preference in representation in the Cabinet expansion and added the “allies should get due respect in a coalition”.
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The JD (U), which has 16 MPs in the Lok Sabha, has no representation in the Union Cabinet currently.