Nitish Kumar re-elected JDU chief

Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar was on Friday named the Janata Dal (United) national president at a meeting of the party's national executive in Delhi,after Member of Parliament Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan quit the post, ending days of speculation about his continuation amid reports of a rift. Lalan Singh, in his presidential address, mentioned wanting to focus more and participate actively in the upcoming elections as the reason for stepping down. He then proposed Nitish Kumar as his successor for the party's top role, who was elected within minutes.Party's chief spokesperson K C Tyagi said Kumar has agreed to take over the mantle from Lalan Singh.
JDU general secretary Ram Kumar Sharma said, "Lalan Singh first proposed his resignation and it was accepted. Simultaneously, the resolution was passed that Nitish Kumar would be the next president." JD(U) state president Umesh Kushwaha said that the national executive requested Kumar to take over the party’s leadership in the larger interest of the party and nation. He added the request was unanimous.Kumar’s taking over is seen as a message to the INDIA bloc and ally Rashtriya Janata Dal ahead of the seat-sharing exercise for the national polls. He is known as a hard bargainer.
Former Bihar Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi was quick to take a dig at Nitish Kumar following the leadership change. In a post on X, he said, "Under Nitish Kumar's three-year plan, Lalan Singh has also been wiped out. By the way, Lalan babu should have understood that since Nitish Kumar did not consider [George] Fernandes, RCP [Singh], Sharad Yadav and Digvijaya Singh his own, why would he be any different? There is no one that Nitish hasn’t stabbed in the back.” Vijay Sinha, Leader of Opposition in Bihar assembly, said, “Lalan Singh's departure was very insulting. It would have been better if he had resigned earlier. Lalan Singh got himself embarrassed in front of the world. I also feel bad for Lalan Singh.