BJP has not projected anyone as PM: Nitish

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has said that his party, the JD(U), will react only when a formal decision for projection of a Prime Ministerial candidate is taken by the BJP. File photo

The Bharatiya Janata Party has not officially declared anyone as its Prime Ministerial candidate for the next Lok Sabha polls and the Janata Dal (United) being a key National Democratic Alliance partner would officially be informed of any decision on the issue, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said on Monday refusing to be drawn into any controversy.

“It will be improper for the JD(U) to react to any report ... JD(U) is an NDA ally and will be informed the moment such a decision is taken by the senior partner,” Mr. Kumar, also a key JD(U) leader, said on the sidelines of his weekly Janata Darbar (meeting with people) .

“The JD(U) will react or make any comment only when a formal decision for projection of a Prime Ministerial candidate is taken by the BJP... No official formal decision has been taken by the BJP on the issue,” he said adding the BJP had not even internally made such an announcement.

On Mr. Modi’s fast, he said every individual, political leader or Chief Minister had the freedom to organise a personal or public programme of his choice in a State.

“It doesn’t require unnecessary comment,” he said refusing to be drawn into controversy over reports suggesting that Mr. Modi might be a strong contender for the post.

The JD(U) has an alliance with the BJP in Bihar. “But there is no alliance with BJP in the State you mentioned,” he told reporters.

Mr. Kumar’s remarks comes a day after JD(U) spokesperson Shivanand Tiwari hit out at Mr. Modi saying a person who “failed to follow Rajdharma ” with 5 crore people of a State won’t be able to do “justice” with 125 crore people of the country.

“Modi has failed to discharge Rajdharma in Gujarat... when he can’t do justice with 5 crore people of a State, how will he be able to deliver justice to 125 crore of the country,” Mr. Tiwari had stated.

Mr. Kumar said he had time and again made it clear that he was not in the race for Prime Ministership.

“I don’t harbour any ambition of becoming Prime Minister ... I don’t have any dream of becoming Prime Minister,” he said.

“My sole ambition is dedicated for Bihar... I have to respect people’s mandate for Bihar... I am physically and mentally utilising my full capacity for Bihar as I know serving Bihar is a great service to the nation,” Mr. Kumar added.