Nitish Kumar set to return as JD(U) chief after Lalan Singh voluntarily steps down

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is all set to return as the Janata Dal (United) president after he was unanimously backed by his party leaders to take over the top post during the national executive meeting held in the national capital on Friday.According to reports, Lalan Singh voluntarily stepped down as the party chief and endorsed Kumar's candidacy for the top post.The national council meeting of the party, scheduled to be held later in the day, is likely to ratify decisions taken in the executive meeting which is currently underway at the Constitution Club in Delhi.Key leaders within the party expressed consensus that Kumar, as the most prominent figure, should lead the organisation, especially given the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections.Notably, the party is a member of the opposition INDIA bloc.Criticism of Singh's leadership style by several party leaders in recent interactions with Kumar was also highlighted by sources.Bihar Minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary also confirmed the news about Lalan Singh handing over the post to Kumar.On being asked if Nitish Kumar has been officially named the JD(U) chief, Choudhary said, "There will national executive meeting of JD(U). If they accept the proposal then Nitish Kumar will be the party president. Lalan Singh told CM Nitish Kumar that he will be busy with elections, so he wants to hand over the post of party president to him and Nitish Kumar accepted it...."Interestingly, Lalan Singh had on Thursday dismissed rumours about him stepping down while interacting with reporters."...If I have to resign, I will consult you...," he had said.He further said that Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is the leader of the JD(U) and the party is united and will remain so.According to NDTV, citing sources, Lalan Singh was removed because he was seen as being a little too close to the JDU's alliance partner in Bihar - Lalu Yadav's Rashtriya Janata Dal - amid talk that RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, who is Lalu Yadav's son and the Deputy Chief Minister, is being prepped to take over.With inputs from agencies