Bihar CM Nitish Kumar denies plans to align with BJP amid political speculation

Patna: Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar on Saturday said that he has no intention of aligning with the BJP amid growing political speculation. Mr Kumar also refuted claims that he was exerting pressure on the grand alliance in Bihar.

The political buzz began when, during his address at the convocation ceremony of Mahatma Gandhi Central University in Motihari on Thursday, he referred to a BJP leader, emphasising their “personal friendship”.

President Droupadi Murmu, Bihar governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar and BJP leader and former Union minister Radha Mohan Singh were present when Mr Kumar spoke about his “personal friendship”.

However, the chief minister clarified on Saturday in Patna that his statement was "misinterpreted" by a section of the media.

“Many leaders from other political parties were sitting on the stage. I didn’t say anything about getting involved with them (the BJP),” Mr Kumar explained.

Furthermore, Mr Kumar highlighted his efforts to establish a university in Motihari by stating, “I wanted to inform people that the previous government led by the Congress at the Centre initially wanted to establish a university in Gaya, but when I insisted, they agreed to establish another university in Motihari.”

Mr Kumar also dismissed remarks made by former deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi, who suggested that he was attempting to exert pressure on the RJD and the Congress by mentioning  “personal friendship” with the BJP.

“He was not made the deputy chief minister of Bihar. He keeps saying such things to score a point and remain in the spotlight,” Mr Kumar said.

Mr Kumar parted ways with the NDA in August last year and subsequently formed a grand alliance government with the support of the RJD and the Congress in Bihar. He also played a key role in uniting the Opposition parties and in the formation of the "INDIA" bloc.

About the upcoming Assembly elections in five states, the BIhar CM adopted a neutral stance, stating, “Janata malik hai (let people decide, their will is supreme)."