PATNA: While Tejashwi Yadav is basking in the glory of having weaned Nitish Kumar away from the National Democratic Alliance, the Bihar Chief Minister, days after taking oath afresh as the head of the Opposition Mahagathbandhan, on Friday talked of plans to forge Opposition unity in order to halt the BJP juggernaut in 2024.
Talking to media persons, Nitish said, “I will like all Opposition parties to get united. Steps have been taken in this direction. Let me first complete the work in Bihar (swearing-in of the new cabinet), then I will work for opposition unity.”
The Janata Dal-United leader, however, vehemently denied having prime ministerial ambitions. Asked about the possibility of his projection as the Opposition’s PM candidate in the next Lok Sabha elections, Nitish said, “With folded hands, I plead that don’t ask me such questions. I have nothing like that in my mind. It doesn’t matter who says what; whenever somebody talks about it before me, I stop him. I want to serve my state.”
When asked what role he saw for himself in bringing together a fragmented Opposition, he said, “Our role will be positive. I have been receiving many telephone calls. It is my wish that all come together.”
The Bihar CM also appeared to blame the BJP for communal tension in various parts of the country. “I want my country to progress well. There is a situation of confrontation in society which should not be there. I am getting calls from across the country after I snapped ties with BJP,” he said.
To a query on the possibility of the ED and the CBI being unleashed on the new ruling dispensation, Nitish said people will be watching those who are in the habit of misusing such agencies.
After the swearing-in of his new cabinet, Nitish is likely to visit other states to meet Opposition leaders and regional satraps. He may also meet Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi and discuss ways to strengthen the Opposition at the centre.