AMN

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar proposed meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi with in New Delhi Saturdy after the latter skipped luncheon meeting called by Congress president Sonia Gandhi today to discuss common opposition Presidential candidate, sparked speculations over his next move in the wake of a series of charges levelled against RJD chief Lalu Prasad, making a difficult situation for him to run Grand Alliance government in Bihar.

Mr Kumar who was invited for a luncheon meeting of opposition leaders, called by Ms Gandhi, skipped the event and instead sent former JD(U) chief Sharad Yadav to represent his party on the occasion.

BSP president Mayawati, West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC chief Mamata Banerjee, RJD chief Lalu Prasad, NCP chief Sharad Pawar and several other senior leaders of opposition parties attended the meeting which is also being seen as an exercise for opposition unity for Presidential election which could continue till next Lok Sabha elections to counter Narendra Modi government.

Chief Minister Mr Kumar, when asked about his not attending the meeting convened by Ms Gandhi, said senior leader of his party and former JD(U) chief Mr Yadav had attended the meeting as party representative.

Media was unnecessarily interpreting his not attending the meeting in a different way but it was a non issue as he had called on Ms Gandhi in April to discuss possibility of fielding a common opposition candidate for Presidential election, he remarked.