New Delhi: JD(U)'s Parliamentary Board Committee Chairman Upendra Kushwaha speaking to ETV Bharat ahead of the party's national executive meeting in Delhi today, said that discussions were held regarding strengthening of the party, given the assembly elections which are to be held in five states including UP and Punjab. A brainstorming session was also held as to chalk out a strategy, on how many seats the party has to fight in these states and how to prepare strongly, the JD(U) leader added.
"I am not in the race for the post of JD(U) president. RCP Singh should continue as the party's national president. I do not know who will be made the new chief. Whatever decision will be taken in the executive meeting will be announced," Kushwaha further said. His remarks come in the wake of Lalan Singh's name doing the rounds.
Read: JDU president race hots up, two hot contenders
Ever since RCP Singh has become the Cabinet Minister in the Narendra Modi led NDA government, the talks began in state politics that JDU will follow its rule of 'one man one post'. In fact, RCP Singh had hinted about leaving the post if the party decides so. JDU has called a meeting in its party office at 4 pm on Saturday which all the 75 leaders of the National Executive Committee will be present. Though the agenda of the meeting is the election in other states apart from the membership drive, talks related to the new JDU President would be in the core agenda amid several political developments in Bihar.
The name of Upendra Kushwaha, who is presently the Chairman of the Parliamentary Board Committee, is on top. However, Nitish's close confidante and Lok Sabha member Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh is also in the race for the top post. Lalan's name was also among the possibilities for a cabinet minister berth but only RCP Singh made the entry after which the JDU MP from Munger seems to be disappointed with the central leadership. So to calm him down, Nitish Kumar may opt for Lalan as the new JDU president.
Read: JDU smells BJP conspiracy in Bihar 2020 poll
The JDU is being accused of giving preference to the leaders of Kurmi and Kushwaha community in the party because Bihar JDU President Umesh Kushwaha also comes from the 'Kushwaha' caste. Therefore, by making Lalan Singh, who is from the Bhumihar caste as the national president, Nitish intends to send the message that the party gives preference to the upper castes also.
