Patna: Scotching rumours about his ambition to become Bihar Chief Minister and friction within NDA over it, Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) chief and Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan, on Tuesday, categorically stated that he was not a CM candidate nor anybody from his party would be so.
"I am not a CM candidate. I am not interested in it. Nobody from LJP will be a chief ministerial candidate. I am myself saying this and there is no need to ask anybody else about it," Paswan said.
The LJP chief further said he will approve anybody chosen by Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the chief ministerial candidate for Bihar.
"There is only one leader in NDA and he is Narendra Modi. Whichever name he suggests - be it a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h… I will put my stamp of approval on it," Paswan added.
Paswan declared his lack of interest for the state's top job while sharing the dais with senior BJP leader and former Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi at a programme organised by a vernacular daily.
The announcement by Paswan is a big relief to NDA, which is already grappling with Rashtriya Lok Samata Party (RLSP) chief and Union Minister Upendra Kushwaha, who has been projected by his party as the chief ministerial candidate and has demanded that NDA should also accept his claim for the post.
Referring to Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, the LJP chief pointed out while he had refused the post twice in 1989 and 2005 when it was offered to him by former prime ministers V P Singh and Atal Bihari Vajpayee respectively, Kumar had betrayed everybody including his mentor and socialist leader George Fernandes to become the chief minister.
Paswan said he never wanted Kumar to become the Bihar chief minister as he was aware about his inclination towards betraying everybody. Mounting his attack against Kumar, the Union Minister said he projects himself as 'vikas purush' (man of development) but has nothing to show for development.
"He wants to compete with Narendra Modi but has no capability for it," he said.
"Bihar is ranked among the lowest when it comes to development and law and order. Kumar talks about development, but could not construct even two bridges over Ganga in his 10 years of rule," he added.
Paswan pointed out that Kumar had promised he will not seek votes if he is unable to provide round-the-clock electricity in the state, but is now circulating big posters with his photographs and slogan "Abki baar, Nitish Kumar" (this time, Nitish Kumar).
"Forget electricity. There are several villages where electric poles have not been installed. And now he (Kumar) is trying to cheat people by showing big posters," he added.
The LJP chief claimed Kumar will "learn a lesson" for going with RJD President Lalu Prasad in the assembly elections.
"I have been with Prasad in elections. Our votes were transferred to him, but RJD votes were not transferred to us. Kumar will learn this in a hard way when elections take place," he said.
Appealing to voters in the state, Paswan said he has always done politics with self-respect. "You have given kurta by giving power to NDA at the Centre. Now it is time to bring it to power in the state and provide a dhoti or pajama."
NDA will develop several existing airports and various tourism circuits in the state if it is voted to power, he added.
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