NEW DELHI: Bihar Chief Minister and Janata Dal (United) president Nitish Kumar faced a moment of tension on December 19 during the three-hour-long meeting of INDIA bloc leaders when Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) leader T.R. Baalu requested an English translation of Nitish Kumarโs Hindi speech.
In the past, Rashtriya Janata Dal Rajya Sabha MP Manoj K. Jha had been the translator during Opposition alliance leadership meetings, conveying speeches in English for those not proficient in Hindi. However, after Nitish Kumarโs speech, DMK leader TR Baalu asked Jha to translate, sparking an unexpected reaction from the Bihar Chief Minister.
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Expressing frustration, Nitish Kumar insisted that Hindi is the national language and everyone should comprehend it. His outburst delved into Indian history and criticised the imposition of English, continuing for several minutes.
In response to this incident, subsequent speeches, including one by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal, were delivered in English to prevent further clashes. RJDโs Manoj Jha had offered to translate Nitish Kumarโs remarks during the meeting, but Nitish Kumar vehemently opposed the idea, emphasizing the importance of Hindi as the national language and urging DMK leaders to discard colonial remnants, including the English language.
Speculations surrounding Nitish Kumarโs discomfort are linked to the perceived downsizing of his role within the alliance. Despite JD(U) promoting him as the prime ministerial face, suggestions favouring Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge for the position at the recent meeting added to Kumarโs unease.
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Nitish Kumarโs absence from the joint press conference following the meeting further fueled speculation about his dissatisfaction. Some reports indicate his interest in becoming the Convenor of the I.N.D.I. Alliance, complicating the internal dynamics of the opposition coalition.
As the Lok Sabha elections loom, this incident adds complexity to the already intricate dynamics within the I.N.D.I. Alliance, highlighting the challenges of fostering unity among diverse regional parties with differing linguistic preferences.
