People thought Modi is capable to be PM, I don’t think I am: Nitish Kumar

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Monday ruled himself out from the list of probable Prime Ministerial candidates in the 2019 Lok Sabha election, stating he was not a fool.

“I am not a candidate for 2019 (PM post). I am no fool… We have a small party. The people have given us a mandate to govern Bihar as a part of the mahagathbandhan (grand alliance) and we are trying to do our job,” Nitish said while addressing media persons after his weekly ‘Lok Samwad’ on Monday.

Nitish, also the national president of the Janata Dal-United (JD-U), said: “Former party supremo Sharad Yadav had already completed three terms and could not get any extension. Hence, I was given the mandate for the post. But becoming the party president does not mean I have national aspiration.”

He recalled a television interview in which he had said that he said that his only national aspiration was to make his party -- the JD (U) -- a national one. “But, this does not mean I have personal aspirations. I will serve the people for the mandate they have given me, till the time I can,” he added.

Replying to a query on a Bihar-like mahagathbandhan at the national level, Nitish said: “There should be one, but how can I say whether it will be or not? There are a number of parties in India and all need to think about it.” On the likely leader of the proposed national anti-BJP front, he added: “How can I say that? Five years ago who knew Modi? But people thought he is capable, so he is here. Who knows who else will emerge next? I don’t think I have that capability.”

The Bihar CM said that the NDA government at the Centre should take an initiative to create a consensus on the next presidential candidate. “If they don’t, then the Opposition should field a joint candidate,” he said. In response to a query on President Pranab Mukherjee getting a second term, he said: “What can be better than that?”

Breaking his silence over the alleged benami properties of ally and RJD president Lalu Prasad Yadav, Nitish distanced himself from the issue saying Lalu had already replied to all accusations against him by BJP leader Sushil Modi and there was nothing for him to say on it. “If you have some proof, you should get it investigated. However, it does not come under the purview of the state government’s investigation,” he added.