Patna, Apr 10 (UNI) Former BJP MP Ashwini Kumar Chaubey on Thursday favoured Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to become Deputy Prime Minister, saying it would be extreme pleasure for him if such an honour was given to Kumar, as only Jagjivan Ram from the state was given opportunity to become the Deputy PM so far since Independence.
Chaubey, also a former Union Minister, told media persons that Kumar had long experience of serving as Minister at the Centre. Kumar also had the experience of discharging his responsibility as Convener of NDA, he added.
" It would be extreme pleasure for me if Kumar becomes Deputy Prime Minister, as it would also be a great honour for Bihar", the BJP leader said, adding that only veteran Congress leader Jagjivan Ram from Bihar had got the opportunity to become Deputy PM since independence. Kumar also had vast experience in national politics, he noted.
The remark of Chaubey has created ripples in political circles as it is being assumed the possibility of the BJP deciding a new role for Kumar before the next Bihar assembly elections to be held in October-November this year.
Political analysts feel it would not be easy for the BJP to persuade Chief Minister Kumar to shift to national politics. Whether Kumar himself is interested in accepting any responsibility is a million-dollar question.
Kumar, on so many occasions, had earlier dismissed any such possibility to shift his political activity from Bihar when his name was doing rounds in the media for posts of President or Vice President, during the last elections for these posts.
UNI KKS BD