Bihar BJP leaders bat for Nitish as Dhankhar’s successor
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Bihar BJP leaders bat for Nitish as Dhankhar’s successor
Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned as Vice-President on Monday citing health issues. Opposition leaders have raised questions on his sudden move. Bihar BJP leaders pushed the name of Chief Minister and JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar for the post of Vice- president. The BJP MLAs who came to attend the ongoing monsoon session of the Bihar Assembly said Mr. Kumar is a suitable and worthy candidate for the position. However, the JD (U) leaders assert that Mr.umar will keep serving Bihar as the Chief Minister if the BJP-led NDA wins the Assembly election in 2025. The Assembly election will be fought under his leadership and the NDA will win 225 seats, according to theJD(U), which is part of the National Democratic Alliance.
The Janata Dal (United) is part of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) ruling the State.
BJP MLA Haribhushan Thakur Bachaul and BJP Minister Neeraj Kumar Singh Bablu said it would be a matter of pride for Bihar if Mr. Kumar becomes the Vice-President.
Mr. Dhankhar resigned as Vice-President on Monday citing health issues, prompting Opposition leaders to raise questions on his sudden move.
‘Long record’
The BJP MLAs who came to attend the ongoing monsoon session of the Bihar Assembly said Mr. Kumar is a suitable and worthy candidate for the post. “Though it is not my hands, but if Nitishji becomes the Vice-President, it would be a matter of great pride for Bihar. He has a long administrative record. Bihar keliye saubhagya hi baat hogi (It would be a great fortune for Bihar),” Mr. Thakur told the media on the Assembly premises.
Another BJP leader and Minister Mr. Bablu said, “What is the problem if he becomes the Vice-President? It would be really good.” Asked whether Mr. Dhankhar resigned under political pressure, Mr. Bablu said: “I don’t think so, everyone is doing their work.“
Bihar Minister and BJP leader Prem Kumar said he will be happy if someone from Bihar becomes the Vice-President, but added that the Centre will take the final call. “Whether Nitish Kumarji should be made the Vice-President or not, is for the Centre to decide,” Mr. Prem said before going inside the Assembly.
Ever since Mr. Kumar returned to the BJP-led NDA fold in January 2024, there has been speculation that the BJP may not continue him as the Bihar Chief Minister if the grouping wins the Assembly election in 2025.
So far, neither Prime Minister Narendra Modi Modi nor Union Home Minister Amit Shah has declared Mr. Kumar as the chief ministerial candidate. However, Mr. Shah has said several times that the Assembly election will be fought under the leadership of Mr. Kumar.
‘Mere rumours’
However, the JD(U) leaders assert that Mr. Kumar will keep serving Bihar as the Chief Minister.
“These are just rumours about our leader. Nitishji has only one dream – to serve the people of Bihar and speed up the developmental work in the State. The Assembly election will be fought under his leadership and the NDA will win 225 seats. Whatever the BJP leaders are saying is their personal opinion; the people of Bihar do not have any such desires, “said JD(U) leader and Minister Shravan Kumar.
Bihar JD(U) president Umesh Kushwaha said there should not be any politics on the resignation of Mr. Dhankhar as he had quit on health grounds.
Asked about Mr. Kumar for the post of Vice-President, Mr. Kushwaha said, “Only a few days are left for the Assembly election and the people of Bihar have given the slogan “2025 phir se Nitish” (once again Nitish in 2025). The Assembly election will be fought on the face of Nitish Kumarji and again he will become the Chief Minister.”