'Nitish Kumar For PM': JD-U Leader's Comment Points To Rift With NDA Partner BJP

Fresh tension has erupted within the NDA, with partners BJP and JD(U) in Bihar engaging in a battle over Nitish Kumar's possibility of becoming the Prime Minister.

Bihar News: A war of words between the BJP and the JD(U) has once again erupted in Bihar. Statements by leaders of both parties pointed to tension brewing between the parties. On Thursday, October 3, Bihar minister and JD(U) leader Zama Khan and BJP national spokesperson Ajay Alok appeared to be at loggerheads in an interview with ABP News. 

'Nitish For PM'

On the question of Nitish Kumar being the Chief Minister for nearly 19 years and having served as a Union minister, Bihar Minority Welfare of Bihar minister Zama Khan said Kumar will eventually become the Prime Minister of the country. "My prayers will be answered soon. The Opposition will also support Nitish Kumar in making him PM."

Zama Khan, who was in the BSP, joined JD-U in 2021. He said: "Congress will also support his candidature. If Nitish Kumar's name is proposed for the post of Prime Minister, he will get the support of all parties."

Zama Khan said Nitish Kumar is "PM material". "Bihar and the whole country want him to become Prime Minister. The country will develop rapidly if Nitish Kumar becomes PM... He does not have a familial background. There is no stain on him. He has always been in favour of taking everyone together... The key to power at the Centre is in our hands."

'No Vacancy For PM's Post'

Zama Khan's statement sparked a controversy. Reacting to his 'Nitish for PM', BJP national spokesperson Ajay Alok said that there "was no vacancy for the PM's post". "People have been saying all sorts of things since Israel killed Nasrullah. Zama Khan is a minister. He should talk to the Congress to make Nitish Kumar the PM. Talk to other parties as well. Nitish will tell him what to tell them," Ajay Alok said.

BJP Plotting To Remove Nitish Kumar From CM's Post

RJD spokesperson Mrityunjay Tiwari said that BJP is planning to remove Nitish Kumar from the CM post in Bihar. "This realisation has dawned on the JD-U. Hence, they are demanding that Nitish Kumar be made the PM... [With this statement] The JD-U has sent a clear message [to the BJP] that if they try anything funny in Bihar, the party would withdraw support at the Centre." He said the JD-U should think of saving Nitish Kumar in Bihar before dreaming about the PM's chair.