Nitish Kumar not in PM race, nor am I in a hurry to become CM: Tejashwi Yadav

The RJD leader said, “I would like to thank Nitish Kumar-ji for taking the very important decision of snapping ties with the BJP…. I am trying to live up to the faith he has reposed in me.”

He also mentioned that “some people” were circulating rumours of a “rift” between the two allies.

Tejashwi, who has been under attack from the Opposition on his alleged links to corruption cases, said, “I am dismayed at Opposition leaders targetting us and how they had been keeping quiet about corruption charges faced by their own leaders.”

He was referring to BJP leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sushil Kumar Modi’s intensified attack on him over corruption charges. On Sunday, Sushil Modi had asked Tejashwi to explain how his family “acquired” so much land in Patna.

While Tejashwi has made similar statements earlier, this is the time he spoke in the Assembly about Nitish’s lack of PM ambition and his disinterest in becoming the Bihar CM at the moment. His statement comes amid speculation of tension between the Grand Alliance’s two biggest two partners, RJD and JD(U), especially in the wake of the recent raids by Enforcement Directorate and CBI at residences of RJD chief Lalu Prasad and his family members in Patna, Delhi and other places in connection with different cases. Tejashwi has to appear before the CBI for questioning next week in the IRCTC case.

A source in the RJD said the party has “certainly” been under pressure, given the “over-activism” of the Central agencies. The source said, “We can never be sure of Nitish Kumar’s next move. It is tactical for us not to pressure him for relinquishing the CM post for Tejashwi. The party has asked its leaders not to say anything that goes against Nitish Kumar.”