Nitish: No ambition to be PM, will lead efforts to unite Oppn for ’24 | Patna News

PATNA: Bihar CM Nitish Kumar reiterated on Friday that he has no prime ministerial aspirations but would lead efforts to unite all Opposition parties across the country ahead of the 2024 general elections.
“I say this with folded hands: I have no ambition for the PM’s post. If someone asks me this question, I merely offer my pranam to the person. My duty is to work for everyone and I will make efforts to see that all the Opposition parties walk and work together,” Nitish said when asked about being looked upon as the Opposition’s prime ministerial face for the 2024 general elections.
Many pundits have predicted that Nitish would now look to play a bigger role in national politics and could probably be the frontrunner for the PM’s post, especially with Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee’s popularity chart dipping after the arrest of two of her close aides, Partha Chatterjee and Anubrata Mandal. On the other hand, Telangana chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao has so far failed to garner support to form a united front against BJP.

Analysts say Nitish now is looking at this opportunity to spearhead efforts to unite opposition parties at the national level.
“I am doing positive work. Many people (leaders) from different states are calling me. First, I will work for Bihar, then for the unity of the Opposition across the country. I wish all come together (against the BJP-led NDA),” Nitish, who recently broke ties with BJP, said.

Nitish, the de facto leader of JD(U), was replying to queries after tying a rakhi to trees on Raksha Bandhan at Rajdhani Vatika here. The state govt observes Raksha Bandhan as “Vriksha Raksha Diwas”, a tradition started by Nitish a few years ago.
Asked about the apprehension of the CBI and EDbeing misused against leaders of the new government in Bihar, Nitish said, “Even if a habit has been developed to misuse the central agencies, those indulging in such misuse are being closely watched by the public and, after watching such things, the public will take its own decision at the appropriate time.”
I am doing positive work. Many people (leaders) from different states are calling me. First, I will work for Bihar, then for the unity of the Opposition across the country. I wish all come together (against the BJP-led NDA)