Telangana’s KCR with Bihar counterpart Nitish Kumar at a press convention.
Patna:
A press convention by two Chief Ministers, important for projecting opposition unity, served up a viral second when Telangana’s Okay Chandrashekhar Rao responded to questions on a Prime Ministerial candidate whereas his Bihar counterpart Nitish Kumar tried to depart.
Mr Rao or KCR, who visited Bihar on Wednesday, had been requested whether or not he would again Nitish Kumar as a PM candidate for 2024.
“Aap baithiye na (please sit),” Mr Rao, or KCR, pleaded as Nitish Kumar insisted: “Aap chaliye na (let’s go).”
The 2 leaders saved saying “baithiye“, “chaliye” to one another in what was interpreted by many for example of the opposition’s dissonance on an enormous query – who would be the prime ministerial candidate vs Prime Minister Narendra Modi – and the discomfiture of two potential candidates being requested who is de facto within the operating.
BJP leaders shared the video on social media and focused Nitish Kumar, who dumped the occasion final month and shaped a brand new authorities with Tejashwi Yadav, Congress and different opposition events.
Sources near Nitish Kumar have slammed what they name a misinterpretation of what went down. They are saying Nitish Kumar obtained up solely when reporters saved repeating their questions.
KCR, who has made his nationwide ambitions clear, was requested whether or not he would suggest Nitish Kumar’s identify for Prime Minister.
Nitish Kumar rose abruptly, signalling an finish to the hour-long press meet.
“Baithiye na,” urged KCR, pulling him by his hand as he tackled the query with out giving a direct reply.
“Who says if I suggest a reputation, individuals will settle for it? Why are you in a rush? We (opposition events) have to sit down and discuss this,” he mentioned.
Nitish Kumar was nonetheless standing when KCR instructed the reporters: “I’m sitting, you additionally sit.” His Bihar host additionally sat.
The questions turned to Congress chief Rahul Gandhi and whether or not he may very well be the opposition’s alternative.
“You’re sensible, however I’m smarter,” KCR parried.
Nitish Kumar was on his ft once more, which led to laughter within the room.
“We’ll make each attainable effort to convey collectively anti-BJP forces,” KCR mentioned, coaxing Nitish Kumar to sit down.
However Mr Kumar began strolling and careworn, “Let’s go. Do not get into all this.”
Sharing the video, BJP leaders mentioned Mr Kumar had “insulted” KCR.
Did KCR journey to Patna to get insulted like this? Nitish Kumar did not even accord him the essential courtesy of finishing his level in a press interplay. Nitish was dismissive of KCR’s pleas to let him end. However then that’s Nitish Kumar. Self immodest. KCR requested for it… pic.twitter.com/k9BQPo6FCI
– Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) August 31, 2022
If KCR had any hopes of main the third/4th/fifth entrance – Nitish Kumar has successfully ended these by embarrassing him in probably the most brutal method pic.twitter.com/NuskfJLUtP
– Shehzad Jai Hind (@Shehzad_Ind) September 1, 2022
KCR has been assembly numerous opposition leaders as a part of the strikes aimed on the 2024 nationwide election. In Bihar, he mentioned he would make all efforts in direction of a “BJP-mukt Bharat”.
“Why Third Entrance, we’re engaged on the Important Entrance…All opposition events ought to come collectively and lift the slogan for a BJP-mukt Bharat… We’ll attempt to unite all opposition events within the nation,” he mentioned.
The Telangana Chief Minister’s go to to Bihar comes weeks after Nitish Kumar’s re-entry into the opposition camp. Mr Kumar’s transfer to ditch the BJP has revived hypothesis concerning the eight-time Chief Minister as a attainable candidate to tackle PM Modi.
BJP chief Sushil Modi mentioned: “KCR did not even settle for Nitish Kumar as a PM candidate and outrightly denied it. Nitish Kumar tried to stroll out of a presser once they have been requested about it although KCR tried to make him sit many occasions.”
