PATNA: Senior JD(U) functionary K C Tyagi claimed on Saturday that the opposition INDIA bloc had offered the prime ministership to Bihar CM Nitish Kumar if he joined the alliance, but INDIA politicians dismissed the claim. RJD alleged that it was a JD(U) tactic a day before Narendra Modi’s swearing-in as PM to get more for its support to BJP.
The Bihar CM’s confidante, Sanjay Jha, too said neither the party nor the CM was aware of any such proposal.
“After the election results, one party after another and one opposition leader after another called some top JD(U) netas, including me, and offered the PM’s post to Nitish if JD(U) returns to INDIA bloc,” Tyagi told TOI. He, however, did not reveal any names.
RJD: Nitish has completely surrendered in front of Modi
Dismissing K C Tyagi’s claim, RJD spokesperson Mrityunjay Tiwari said, “Nitish has completely surrendered in front of Modi. JD(U) netas are making such claims just to get more ministerial berths.”
Asked whether any INDIA bloc politician from Bihar also made the offer, Tyagi declined to reveal the name of anyone, saying only that the offer was made not only by Congress but also by other INDIA bloc constituents.
Tyagi said the offers were made till June 7, when Nitish extended his party’s support to Modi at the NDA meeting.
“After the Lok Sabha elections, those leaders of the INDI alliance who did not want Nitish to become convener of the opposition bloc started offering him the post of PM. We have phone records to substantiate our claim,” the JD(U) politician said, adding, “But we declined their offer as Nitish had remained with PM Modi and the NDA during the entire election. They stopped calling us after Nitish endorsed the name of Narendra Modi as the next PM.”
Asked why INDIA bloc politicians woke up so late to offer the PM’s post to Nitish, Tyagi said, “Just leave it. What will happen jab chiriya chug gayee khet?”