Patna: Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar on Tuesday dismissed speculation about his likely projection as a candidate for the post of the country’s President, elections for which are scheduled later this year. “In sab chizon ka hamare dimag mein koi idea bhi nahi hai (I don’t have any clue about such matters),” he told newspersons in Bhagalpur.
Meanwhile in Mumbai, Maharashtra minister and NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik said Nitish’s name could be considered by the
opposition only if JD(U) snapped ties with BJP. Any decision on the opposition’s candidate would be taken collectively by leaders of various parties, he added.
The buzz about Nitish had originated after his twohour-long closed-door meeting in Delhi last Friday with poll strategist Prashant Kishorwho is believed to be in touch with various opposition leaders like Udhav Thackeray, Sharad PawarK Chandrasekhar Rao, MK Stalin and Mamata Banerjee, However, both Nitish and Kishor had said that no politics was discussed.
All eyes are on the results of the assembly polls in five states ahead of the Presidential poll, which will test the relative strength of the antiBJP opposition. Though Nitish dismissed the buzz, his cabinet colleague Shrawan Kumar said, “It is natural that such discussions about Nitish should be held. He is suitable for any post — be it chief minister, prime minister or even president. ,
However, senior BJP executive and deputy chief minister Tarkishore Prasad said he had no information about Nitish’s projection for the post and, in any case, “Ram Nath Kovind is the President and there is no vacancy”.
Meanwhile in Mumbai, Maharashtra minister and NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik said Nitish’s name could be considered by the
opposition only if JD(U) snapped ties with BJP. Any decision on the opposition’s candidate would be taken collectively by leaders of various parties, he added.
The buzz about Nitish had originated after his twohour-long closed-door meeting in Delhi last Friday with poll strategist Prashant Kishorwho is believed to be in touch with various opposition leaders like Udhav Thackeray, Sharad PawarK Chandrasekhar Rao, MK Stalin and Mamata Banerjee, However, both Nitish and Kishor had said that no politics was discussed.
All eyes are on the results of the assembly polls in five states ahead of the Presidential poll, which will test the relative strength of the antiBJP opposition. Though Nitish dismissed the buzz, his cabinet colleague Shrawan Kumar said, “It is natural that such discussions about Nitish should be held. He is suitable for any post — be it chief minister, prime minister or even president. ,
However, senior BJP executive and deputy chief minister Tarkishore Prasad said he had no information about Nitish’s projection for the post and, in any case, “Ram Nath Kovind is the President and there is no vacancy”.
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