The chief minister’s name wasn’t in a list of 20 JD(U) leaders who will campaign in Gujarat.

Rohit Kumar Singh | Edited by Ganesh Kumar Radha Udayakumar

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar will not campaign in Gujarat ahead of next month’s two-phase Assembly election.

Nitish’s Janata Dal (United), now an ally of the BJP, released a list of 20 leaders who will campaign in the poll-bound state.

The chief minister’s name wasn’t in the list.

The JD(U) is contesting the Gujarat Assembly election in a limited number of constituencies. On Wednesday, Nitish’s former deputy, Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Tejashwi Yadav, asked why the JD(U) had thrown its hat in the ring if the chief minister was confident the BJP would win.

“Nitish is repeatedly saying that the BJP will win Gujarat elections but now his party says that they will fight on 50 seats. If the BJP is winning Gujarat then why is the JD(U) fighting elections? Do they think public…(are) fool(s)?” said Tejashwi Yadav.

The Gujarat Assembly election will take place on December 9 and 14.