Patna (Bihar) [India], October 29 (ANI): Ahead of the first phase of polling for the Bihar Assembly elections, Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan (Lalan) Singh on Wednesday once again reiterated that the NDA alliance will contest the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections under the leadership of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.

Speaking to reporters, he sought to put a stop to rumours of leadership disputes within the NDA alliance, calling attempts to create controversy 'negative propaganda'.

Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan (Lalan) Singh said, 'Home Minister said thrice that we are contesting the Bihar Election 2025 under the leadership of Nitish Kumar...He said that in 2020, Nitish Kumar didn't want to be the CM. But PM called him up and insisted on the same; he did become the CM. This time too, he has said that we are contesting elections under the leadership of Nitish Kumar. CM will be elected by the Legislative Party...Those who want to stoke unnecessary controversy over this are doing negative propaganda.'

This statement came after Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) National President Mukesh Sahni, who is also part of Mahagathbandhan, said that Chief Minister Nitish Kumar cannot be given the responsibility of the state, as he is struggling with health issues. He also urged voters to give young politicians a chance to take over.

'There is a wave of change in the entire state. In 2005, people felt he should be given a chance... In 2010, he indeed did development in the state. In 2015, he became CM with Lalu Yadav's support because he had nothing of his own. In 2020, he somehow became CM with the support of the BJP and VIP... We don't have any complaints from him, but since he is unwell, he cannot be given the responsibility of the entire state's population,' he said.

Earlier, Janata Dal (United) leader Arun Kumar on Tuesday expressed confidence that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) will secure a two-thirds majority, asserting that the people of Bihar prefer a government focused on positivity and development.

Speaking to ANI, Arun Kumar said the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar caravan should keep moving.

'The feeling of the masses is that people with positive mentality and development in their minds should continue to stay in the government. The caravan of PM Modi and Nitish Kumar should keep moving. The NDA is going to get a 2/3rd majority in the elections,' Arun Kumar said. (ANI)