Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar stated on Saturday that he had "no problems" with the Congress, his state ally, who is pushing for Rahul Gandhi to be the Prime Ministerial candidate in the upcoming general election, news agency ANI reported quoting Bihar CM.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a function in Patna, the JD(U) leader also underlined that he was "not a claimant" for the top office, while he reaffirmed his commitment to galvanising opposition parties to the BJP, with which he severed ties nearly five months ago.
Kumar was replying to journalist questions on former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath's recent claim that Gandhi will be the "opposition's PM face" in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
Former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Kamal Nath stated on Friday that Rahul Gandhi will be the opposition's prime ministerial candidate in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, according to the news agency PTI. According to the report, Nath commended Gandhi for leading the Congress' nationwide Bharat Jodo Yatra, stating he is in politics for the welfare of the country's common people rather than for power.
"In the 2024 Lok Sabha election, Rahul Gandhi will not only be the opposition's face but also its prime ministerial candidate," he said. No one in history, according to Nath, has ever performed such a long 'padayatra'. No family, according to the Congress leader, has made more sacrifices for the country than the Gandhis.
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar met the Dalai Lama on Friday in Bodh Gaya, where the Tibetan spiritual leader is on an annual retreat after a two-year absence. Kumar arrived at the Tibetan Monastery, where the Nobel Peace Prize recipient is residing, at 12.40 p.m. and was greeted warmly by the octogenarian, with whom he spent over half an hour.
Following the meeting, Kumar went to the Maha Bodhi temple, which is located at the site where the Buddha is claimed to have acquired Enlightenment. Due to VIP mobility, the temple was closed to the general public, and rigorous security precautions were in place.
(With Inputs From Agencies)