I won't be hankering for the PM's post in 2019, says Nitish Kumar

But he keeps his cards close to his chest, is silent on whom he will support as PM in 2019

Bihar Chief Minister and Janata Dal (United) national president Nitish Kumar on Monday said he was not in the race for the prime minister’s post in 2019. 

“I am not the claimant for the prime minister’s post in 2019 (general elections). I am unnecessarily being targeted. We are a small party. I am not a fool… If I become the national president of my party, it does not mean I harbour national aspirations (of becoming the PM),” Kumar told reporters on the sidelines of ‘Lok Samvad’ programme here. The Janata Dal (United) president has also refused to disclose who would he support for the post in 2019. 

Asked whether he has the capability to lead a non-Bharatiya Janata Party alternative, Kumar said that “I neither have any aspiration nor the ability to become the prime minister.”

Kumar is seen as one of the few leaders who have the capability to lead the Opposition against the Narendra Modi-led BJP in 2019. However, his statement would change the political equations. 

The JD(U) president, who was flanked by ministers and party leaders during interaction with the media, said that it was difficult to say as to who would emerge as the PM candidate in 2019.

Kumar said he has served the people throughout his political career — be it as MP, Union minister and now as the chief minister. 

At present, the people of Bihar have given the mandate to grand alliance and he was doing his work in a positive manner, he said.