Nitish takes over as JD(U) President

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Sunday became party president of the Janata Dal (United).  He took over from Sharad Yadav who resigned after heading the party for 10 years.  

In an urgent meeting of National Executive, Yadav declared his resignation from the post and proposed the name of Kumar. The national executive unanimously elected Nitish as president of the party. The decision will be ratified by the national council which is scheduled to meet on April 23 this year at Patna. 

The change has come at a time



when party elections are on and office-bearers are to be elected in next two months up to the level of block units. According to party sources, this was the prescription of Prashant Kishor, campaign advisor of the Bihar Chief Minister.

Kishor last week met Yadav and believed to have suggested him to resign from the post to make it easy for Kumar to project himself as the prime ministerial candidate for 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Yadav has been assured that he would again be sent to Rajya Sabha after he retires in July this year.