Days after Shah's remarks, JD(U) says Nitish to be CM face in 2025 Bihar Assembly poll

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, December 19

Days after Union Home Minister Amit Shah chose not to give a direct answer on Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s future as an NDA leader in the state, JD(U) leaders have said not only would the Assembly elections in 2025 be fought under Nitish's leadership, but also he would be the Chief Minister.

When Union Home Minister Amir Shah was asked whether NDA would contest Bihar polls under Nitish’s leadership or would go solo, he said, “We will sit together and take a decision on the issue. Once we make a decision, we will let you know.”

He added that such decisions were not taken in public forums but at the party’s parliamentary board.

The concern within the JD(U) rose after political developments in Maharashtra where BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis replaced Shiv Sena's Eknath Shinde as Chief Minister.

JD (U) leader Ratnesh Sada said: “Only Nitish Kumar and nobody else will become the CM after the polls. NDA will contest the Assembly polls under the leadership of Nitish Kumar.”

Bihar Education Minister and JD(U) leader Sunil Kumar also reiterated the party’s stand that the Assembly poll would be fought under the leadership of Nitish. “Our party will not make any compromise on the issue of the Chief Minister,” he said.

In the run up to the 2020 Assembly elections, the BJP announced in advance that Nitish would be the Chief Minister irrespective of which of the either party got majority. RJD spokesperson Shakti Singh Yadav commented, “Amit Shah’s remark has caused unrest within the JD(U) camp."