The BJP has hit back at Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's efforts to forge a rainbow coalition ahead of the 2024 elections, stating that there was no vacancy for the Prime Ministerial position in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
Senior BJP leader Syed Shahnawaz Hussain's dig at Nitish comes as the latter met his Bengal counterpart, Mamata Banerjee in Kolkata and Samajwadi party chieftain Akhilesh Yadav in Lucknow on Monday. Nitish Kumar was accompanied by his deputy Tejashwi Yadav at both meetings.
After meeting Mamata at Howrah, Mamata sought an all-opposition party meet in Bihar to commemorate socialist leader Jayprakash Narayan (JP)'s 'total revolution' movement launched some 49 years ago.
To this, Hussain said: "Nitish Kumar took our support and became chief minister. His party is in the third position [in terms of MLAs in Bihar] and he is dreaming of becoming the country's PM," said the BJP leader.
"Nitish Kumar knows that there is no vacancy for the post of Prime Minister in the country, which is why he is saying that he is not a candidate and is only uniting the Opposition," the former Union minister told ANI.
Meanwhile, Mamata, after the meeting, lashed out against the saffron party stating that she wanted the BJP to become zero. "They have become a big hero with the media's support, lies and fake videos," she claimed.
"We have to give the message that we are all together," Banerjee said, adding that she had a request to Nitish Kumar.
"Jayaprakash ji's movement started from Bihar. If we have an all-party meeting in Bihar, we can then decide where we have to go next," she said.
She added: I do not have a personal ego (to work with any party). Nitish ji will be talking to other opposition parties as I am also talking to people".
After meeting Mamata, Nitish Kumar headed to Lucknow to meet Akhilesh Yadav.
The Bihar chief minister later told reporters that he had no wish to become the Prime Minister and rather wants to 'work for the interest of the country'. "I do not have a lust for power and position, my endeavour is to work for the interest of the country," the chief minister said.
On who would lead the joint front, Kumar said, "No, once the unity takes place, the leader will be decided. And whosoever becomes the leader will work in the interest of the country."
"And, one thing I would like to tell you I don't want anything for myself. I will work in the interest of the country. There will be other people as well, and we will sit and decide," Kumar told reporters.
Akhilesh Yadav too was supportive about the anti-BJP coalition. "I'm with you in this endeavour to oust the BJP (from power) and save the nation," said the former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh.
"Bihar and Uttar Pradesh are always together... We are Samajwadis. We share a history," Kumar said.
"You should understand that we are making an effort to change history... We have decided that we will bring together as many parties as possible and work for the country," he added.
The meetings come within 12 days of Kumar holding talks with Congress leaders - Rahul Gandhi Mallikarjun Kharge - in New Delhi and signals emanating from Monday' meetings indicate that both the regional satraps are now willing to give up their apathy towards the grand old party and agree to a rainbow coalition ahead of the 2024 elections.
