Nitish believed to have ‘refused’ INDIA Bloc convener post

Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar has not yet accepted a proposal to name him the convener of the INDIA bloc, even as leaders of the opposition front held a meeting via video conferencing on Saturday where they discussed seat-sharing and preparations for the Lok Sabha elections. The Trinamool Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT) and Samajwadi Party did not attend the meeting.

According to sources, a consensus also emerged that Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge will be appointed the bloc’s chairperson. “The CM (Kumar) has so far not given his approval to the proposal,” said JD(U) national general secretary Sanjay Kumar Jha, adding, “we will let you know after discussing the matter within the party”.

There was no formal announcement till late into the evening about the two appointments.

The Trinamool Congress has opposed the Bihar CM’s name for the post of convener despite the JD(U) pushing for it.

According to a report published by Hindustan Times, a veteran TMC leader said party boss Mamata Banerjee will speak about this issue. “If I am correct, Mamata Banerjee has already cleared the party’s stand on the proposal of making Nitish Kumar the convener, with other members of the alliance,” the leader was quoted as saying.

The Indian Express reported that Kumar said he will only accept the role if all parties were in agreement.

NCP president Sharad Pawar said there was a suggestion made by the INDIA bloc leaders (during the meeting) that Kumar should be appointed the convener, but the CM said a team of party chiefs should be formed and that there is no need to appoint a convener.

After the meeting, Pawar also said there is no need to project a particular face to seek votes, as even Morarji Desai was not projected as the PM face in 1977. “There is no need to project one face to seek votes. We will select the leader after the elections and we are confident of providing an alternative. In 1977, Morarji Desai was not projected as the prime ministerial face by the opposition,” he said.

With inputs from News18

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