Patna (Bihar): Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Thursday ducked queries about rumours of major organisational change in his Janta Dal (U) ahead of a crucial two-day party conclave which will begin in Delhi later in the day. The JD (U) supremo in a brief interaction with journalists before boarding his flight to Delhi asserted that the party meet in Delhi was 'normal'.
"These meetings take place every year. It's normal there is nothing specific at all. These are routine meetings", said the CM when journalists sought his views on rumours of major organisational change in JD(U) during the two-day party conclave. His remark came in the backdrop of rumours that Kumar's key aide Rajiv Ranjan Singh 'Lalan' has told the former that he wanted to step down as JD(U) national president.
A meeting of the national executive has been scheduled at 11:30 am in Constitutional Club tomorrow. This will be followed by a meeting of the national council. A total of 99 JD(U) leaders would attend the national executive meeting while around 200 party leaders would be present at the national council meet. Along with Nitish Kumar, Lalan Singh are expected to be present at all the meetings.
The CM evaded a direct reply when asked whether Lalan was likely to make a formal offer of his resignation at the JD(U)'s crucial meetings. The CM also evaded questions about rumours of his joining NDA. His attention was also drawn to a claim of senior BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi, who as a former deputy CM had known Kumar from close quarters, that the JD(U) supreme leader was growing uneasy with his party chief's closeness with his ally, and fearing sabotage.
The BJP leader claimed that "speculations" about Kumar's possible return to the NDA camp were being deliberately spread by his party, the JD(U), as part of his gameplan to keep the Grand Alliance partners RJD and the Congress in check in Bihar. "But the fact is that the BJP's doors have been closed for him (Nitish Kumar)," he had said.
It is being speculated that the CM may again hold the post of national president or the position may be given to a leader from backward classes. The name of Karpoori Thakur's son Ramnath Thakur has surfaced in this connection.
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