Not in race for PM post in 2019, says Nitish Kumar

Patna: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Monday said he is not in race for the post of Prime Minister in 2019 elections.

The Janata Dal-United (JD-U) leader said he had no personal aspiration for the post. "I am not a contestant for the post of PM in 2019 general elections. My party is a small one. I was given the mandate to run Bihar," Nitish Kumar told the media here.

When asked about reports of a move to form a grand alliance of non-BJP parties ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, the Chief Minister said opposition parties should be united at the national level.

"Like Bihar's Grand Alliance, there is a need for the unity of all non-BJP parties." "Anyone can emerge as a candidate for the top post if he or she has a capacity for it. The candidate for the PM post will come before the people at the right time," he said.

"Modi had emerged as a candidate for the top post in 2014 because he was capable for it as per people's wishes," Nitish said.