Lalan shrugs off resignation talk, all eyes on Nitish today

However, suspense continues on whether Singh would relinquish his position at the meeting Friday.

While the meeting was underway, there was a buzz among party workers outside that Singh may make way for Kumar to lead the party.

Replying to questions from media persons before the meeting, Singh said a “narrative was being set by the media at the behest of the ruling BJP” regarding his resignation from the party.

Singh said the meeting was “routine” and stressed that JD(U) remains united.

During the meeting, Kumar and Singh spoke briefly with the former saying that a detailed discussion on all party matters would be held only on Friday.

A JD(U) source said: “We cannot say that the meeting went in a congenial manner. There was a bit of tension. We would get to know about any change of national president only after Nitish Kumar speaks.”

Earlier, speculation had been rife that Singh might be asked to resign due to alleged proximity to ally Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD). After the meeting, JD(U) spokesperson K C Tyagi denied any discussion on Singh’s resignation. “The national executive meeting will be held around 11.30 am and the national council meeting around 3.30 pm on Friday to discuss party matters. Our leader Nitish Kumar will address the meeting,” Tyagi said.

Outside, posters and cutouts sparked speculation.

Kumar and Singh reached the party office by 4 pm and the meeting began at 5 pm. But Singh’s name and photograph were missing from the posters and cutouts put up to welcome Kumar and other party leaders. The posters were put up by the party’s Delhi unit.

Almost half an hour after the meeting started, a new poster was placed in the campus which had Singh’s photograph but its size was smaller than that of the Delhi unit president Shailendra Kumar. A couple of Kumar’s posters put up on both sides of the entrance of the party office also drew the attention of the party workers.