Will this man challenge Narendra Modi in 2024 India general elections?

In the current times, not many politicians in India generally stand a chance when it comes to challenging prime minister Narendra Modi. Serving his second term, Modi continues to be the country's tallest leader at this moment.

However, after the recent developments in the eastern state of Bihar where chief minister Nitish Kumar dumped his party's alliance with Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and went back to his 'secular' partners to form a new government on Wednesday (10), a new question has started floating in India's political circles.

JDU leader Nitish Kumar embraces RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav after they took oath as CM and Deputy CM of Bihar, respectively, at Raj Bhavan, in Patna on Wednesday, August 10, 2022. (ANI Photo)

Does Modi have a challenger now?

The belief was cemented more on Thursday (11) when Tejashwi Yadav, the deputy chief minister of Bihar, endorsed Kumar for the post of the prime minister in 2024.

Yadav, who leads the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), said his party's decision to forge an alliance with Kumar's Janata Dal (United) or JD(U) was "spontaneous and on the spot", NDTV reported.

The 32-year-old politician, who was Kumar's deputy between 2015 and 2017 when the latter dumped the Grand Alliance to join hands with the BJP, said Kumar has all kind of experience.

"Except Rajya Sabha (the Upper House of the Indian parliament), he has been into all the Houses. He was a Union Minister. Tell me...If Narendra Modi ji can become PM, then why not Nitish ji," Yadav was quoted as saying by NDTV.

He said Kumar was not comfortable working with the BJP which he accused of trying to force things on him. Alleging that the BJP was trying to break Kumar's party, Yadav said the opposition in the country needed to sit together and make a roadmap.

"The people of India want a face against Narendra Modi," he said.