Nitish Kumar reportedly offered PM position by INDIA bloc, Congress disputes claim

It is reported that when pressed to divulge the identities of the leaders who extended the prime ministerial offer to Nitish Kumar, Tyagi refused to disclose specifics

Bihar Chief Minister and leader of the Janata Dal (United) party, Nitish Kumar, has turned down an offer from the Opposition INDIA bloc to become Prime Minister, according to a recent report. This offer, disclosed by JD(U) national spokesperson KC Tyagi, reportedly came from individuals who had previously opposed Kumar's nomination as the convenor of the INDIA bloc. It was also revealed that Kumar declined the offer, citing his unwavering commitment to the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

"Nitish Kumar got an offer from the INDIA bloc to become the Prime Minister. He got the offer from those people who did not allow him to become the convenor of the INDIA bloc. He has refused it and we are firmly with the NDA," Aaj Tak/India Today TV reported, citing KC Tyagi.

When pressed to divulge the identities of the leaders who extended the prime ministerial offer to Nitish Kumar, Tyagi refused to disclose specifics, the channels reported.

"Some leaders wanted to approach Nitish Kumar directly for the offer. But we left the INDIA bloc after the treatment that was meted out to him and our party leaders. We have joined NDA and there's no question of looking back now," the channels also reported Tyagi as stating.

This development emerged amidst speculation that the INDIA bloc had been attempting to woo the JD(U) and the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), both allies of the BJP-led NDA, for potential government formation at the Centre.

Congress leader KC Venugopal has refuted the reported claim made by  Tyagi regarding an offer extended to Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar by the INDIA alliance to assume the Prime Ministerial post.

Congress leader KC Venugopal said, "We don't have any such information."

In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the INDIA bloc exceeded exit poll predictions by securing 234 out of the 543 seats. Conversely, the NDA secured a total of 293 seats, with the BJP accounting for 240, falling short by 32 seats from the majority mark.

Renowned for his political acumen, Nitish Kumar played a key role as the architect behind the formation of the INDIA bloc. Last year, he chaired the bloc's inaugural meeting in Patna. Making a strategic move, he departed from the Opposition alliance, choosing to rejoin the NDA fold in January 2024.

Securing 12 seats in the Lok Sabha polls, Nitish Kumar remained an active participant in the NDA parliamentary meeting held on May 7. The meeting was convened to elect Narendra Modi as the NDA Parliamentary Party Leader.