Congress Announces Tejashwi Yadav as Bihar CM Candidate, Challenges NDA to Reveal Their Choice

Pawan Khera stated that since Rahul Gandhi was not the candidate, his presence wasn't necessary at the announcement.

New Delhi:

The Congress party has defended its timing in announcing the opposition alliance's Chief Ministerial candidate in Bihar after the second round of nominations, asserting there was no delay. They emphasized that the NDA has still not named their candidate.

In an exclusive interview with NDTV's Vasudha Venugopal, Pawan Khera, who attended the morning press conference in Patna where Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Tejashwi Yadav was announced as the candidate, challenged the NDA to reveal their choice.

Khera highlighted that BJP strategist Amit Shah recently indicated MLAs would select the Chief Minister - a departure from previous instances when Nitish Kumar was named upfront. He said: "Prime Minister and Amit Shah are both visiting Bihar in the next 24, 48, 72 hours. Why don't they announce that Nitish Kumar will be their Chief Ministerial candidate?"

"We have made our announcement. Now the ball is in their court. Bihar's people need to know. It's their right," he added.

Khera explained that political timing is essential: "I don't think there was any delay. Politics is all about timing. Every decision needs to be taken at the right time."

Addressing criticism about Rahul Gandhi's absence from the announcement press conference, Khera maintained that Gandhi's presence wasn't necessary since he wasn't the candidate.

"All of us were there for announcing the chief ministerial face. That's why the backdrop featured only one face with all our symbols displayed," he explained.

The Congress announced the Grand Alliance's Chief Ministerial candidate after a delay that some interpreted as a pressure tactic directed at Tejashwi Yadav's Rashtriya Janata Dal. Both parties had unilaterally announced candidates, creating friendly contests in approximately a dozen constituencies.

When questioned about this, Khera suggested it was a strategic decision considering the "local dynamics" of certain constituencies.

"These decisions are made after thorough analysis of the working equations in each constituency. That's the basis for such decisions," he stated.

He pointed out this wasn't unprecedented: "This has occurred in several states where we have formed the government."