Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Friday returned as the national president of the Janata Dal (United), replacing senior party leader Lalan Singh who resigned from his post at a meeting of the party’s national executive in New Delhi. At the meeting, Lalan Singh proposed Kumar’s name for the post soon after tendering his resignation. The meeting was attended by the Bihar CM Nitish Kumar, former JD(U) national president Rajiv Ranjan (Lalan) Singh, and other party leaders, to discuss various issues, including the political landscape and financial scenario of the country.

The development comes amid reports of Singh’s growing proximity to JD(U)’s senior alliance partner, the Rashtriya Janata Dal. Pressure has been mounting on Nitish to relinquish his post and make way for RJD leader and his deputy Tejashwi Yadav to take over as Chief Minister. Nitish announced after joining the Mahagathbandhan two years ago that the alliance will contest the Bihar Assembly elections, due in 2025, under Tejashwi’s leadership. However, the RJD is learnt to be pressing for a change of guard ahead of the Lok Sabha elections itself.

Also Read: Course correction or last roll of the dice? The many battles of Nitish Kumar

Speculations around a potential change in leadership within the JD(U) were rife for the past few days, despite party leaders denying any such development. Bihar Minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary had dismissed such reports, highlighting that the current national president, Lalan Singh, is effectively leading the party.

Notably, even Bihar Deputy Chief Minister and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav dismissed rumors about the resignation of JD(U) president Lalan Singh.

The national executive meeting follows the recent INDIA alliance meeting in Delhi, where the JD(U) is actively engaging with the Congress on alliance considerations for the state. Despite speculations, many JD(U) leaders are endorsing Nitish Kumar to lead the INDIA bloc.

Also Read: INDIA bloc protest: Rahul Gandhi blames ‘unemployment’ under Modi govt for Parliament security breach

Notably, posters featuring Bihar CM Nitish Kumar with the slogan ‘Pradesh ne pehchana, ab desh bhi pehchanega’ (The state of Bihar recognized him, now the nation will) were also put up at the meeting venue.

(With inputs from ANI)