Nitish Kumar Assumes Leadership of JD(U) as Rajiv Ranjan Singh Steps Down

Bihar’s Chief Minister, Nitish Kumar, assumed the role of the Janata Dal (United) or JD(U) national president on Friday, following the resignation of Member of Parliament Rajiv Ranjan Singh (Lalan). Speculation about Singh’s continuation amidst reports of a rift ended with his announcement during the party’s national executive meeting in New Delhi. Nitish Kumar previously held the position in 2016, succeeding Sharad Yadav, and later relinquished it in 2020. In 2020, former Union minister RCP Singh became the JD(U) national president.

JD(U) state president Umesh Kushwaha revealed that the national executive unanimously requested Kumar to lead the party in the larger interest of both the party and the nation.

Minister Vijay Kumar Chowdhary explained that Singh, citing his candidature in the 2024 national polls, requested to be relieved from the post, suggesting that Nitish Kumar should take over. Despite rumors of dissatisfaction, Chowdhary emphasized there was no bitterness between the two leaders.

Speculation about Singh’s resignation arose due to perceived inefficiencies in coordinating with the Opposition Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) for a more significant role for the Chief Minister at the national level in the 2024 polls. Reports suggested Kumar’s displeasure with the projection of Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge as the Opposition grouping’s Prime Ministerial candidate, which Kumar denied on Monday.

Singh, rejecting rumors of a rift, asserted that JD(U) remained united, and he would not resign, attributing media coverage to furthering the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) agenda. Kumar’s assumption of the role is viewed as a strategic move ahead of the seat-sharing negotiations with the INDIA bloc and ally Rashtriya Janata Dal for the upcoming national polls, emphasizing his reputation as a tough negotiator.

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