Buxar/ Patna: In a striking political overture, senior BJP leader and former Union Minister Ashwini Choubey on Thursday called for Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to be elevated to the post of Deputy Prime Minister, citing his longstanding role within the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
Speaking in Buxar, Choubey praised Nitish’s contributions to the NDA, noting that the Janata Dal (United) leader had worked as a coordinator for the alliance over several years. “At present, he is walking shoulder to shoulder with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. If he is given the status of Deputy PM, then Bihar will be blessed. After Jagjivan Ram, we will get the second Deputy Prime Minister. This is our personal wish,” Choubey said.
The remarks come amid a renewed show of strength by the NDA in Bihar, following a strong performance in the recent Lok Sabha elections and ahead of the 2025 Assembly polls.
Responding to the suggestion, JD(U) chief spokesperson Neeraj Kumar welcomed the sentiment, saying the Nitish-Modi alliance had rendered the opposition “paralysed.”
“I don’t want to thematically interpret what anyone says, but facts are facts. Union Home Minister Amit Shah publicly stated on Tuesday that the 2025 elections will be fought under the leadership of Nitish Kumar,” Neeraj Kumar told reporters.
The NDA secured victories in 30 of Bihar’s Lok Sabha constituencies in 2024 Lok Sabha elections and is currently leading in 174 Assembly segments. According to JD(U), this electoral outcome signals a strong endorsement of Nitish Kumar’s leadership.
“The people of Bihar continue to look towards Nitish Kumar with hope,” Neeraj Kumar added. “Our allies recognise this clearly.”
