Bihar CM Nitish Kumar likely to replace Lalan Singh as JDU chief: Sources

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• Dec 23, 2023 | Dhupali Das

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is considering the removal of Rajiv Ranjan Singh, alias Lalan Singh...

Digital Desk: In a move that has set the political circles abuzz, sources suggest that Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is considering the removal of Rajiv Ranjan Singh, alias Lalan Singh, as the chief of the Janata Dal (United) party. The decision is expected to be finalized during the party's national executive meeting scheduled for December 29 in Delhi.

Speculations are rife that Nitish Kumar might assume the role of party chief himself, a move apparently advised by his close confidantes to prevent internal discord that could arise if a new face takes over from Lalan Singh.

Sources indicate that Nitish Kumar is dissatisfied with Lalan Singh's recent conduct, particularly his growing closeness with RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav and Deputy Chief Minister Tejaswi Yadav. Reports suggest that Lalan Singh, eyeing a re-election in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls from Munger, may even consider contesting on a Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) ticket.

Additionally, Nitish Kumar is purportedly dissatisfied with Lalan Singh's failure to effectively coordinate with INDIA bloc partners to fulfill national ambitions. If removed as the party chief, Lalan Singh will join the ranks of other senior leaders, including George Fernandes, Sharad Yadav, RCP Singh, Upendra Kushwaha, and poll strategist Prashant Kishor, who were previously replaced despite their close association with Nitish Kumar.

Amidst these developments, Nitish Kumar emphasized the urgency of finalizing seat-sharing arrangements during the recent INDIA bloc meeting. Sanjay Kumar Jha, JD(U) national general secretary, shared insights from the meeting, stating, "Nitish Kumar expressed the view that seat-sharing should be complete by January. After that, all parties should come out with a common minimum program to challenge the current regime with a counter-narrative and plunge into the campaign."

However, Jha refuted media reports suggesting Kumar's displeasure over the coalition's reluctance to name him the convener of INDIA and clarified that his absence from the post-meeting press conference was not a form of protest. The unfolding events promise to bring significant changes to the political landscape in Bihar as the party prepares for crucial national executive deliberations.