Nitish Kumar says 'not in race for PM post in 2019'

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Monday said he is not in race for the post of Prime Minister in 2019 elections.The Janata Dal-United (JD-U) leader said he had no personal aspiration for the post.

"I am not a contestant for the post of PM in 2019 general elections. My party is a small one. I was given the mandate to run Bihar," Nitish Kumar told the media here.

When asked about reports of a move to form a grand alliance of non-BJP parties ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, the Chief Minister said opposition parties should be united at the national level.

"Like Bihar's Grand Alliance, there is a need for the unity of all non-BJP parties."

"Anyone can emerge as a candidate for the top post if he or she has a capacity for it. The candidate for the PM post will come before the people at the right time," he said.

"Modi had emerged as a candidate for the top post in 2014 because he was capable for it as per people's wishes," Nitish said.