New Delhi/UNI: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar was unanimously elected as the president of the Janata Dal (United) at the party's National Executive meeting held in New Delhi on Friday.

Kumar was appointed as the JD(U) Chief after Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh stepped down from the post during the party meeting which began at the Constitution Club of India here.

Taking the media, party leader Shravan Kumar said that Lalan Singh proposed the name of Nitish Kumar in the meeting, which was accepted by the party leaders unanimously.

However, the party leaders said that the final announcement will be made in the evening after the National Council Meeting.

JD(U) state president Umesh Kushwaha said that the party's national executive requested Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar to take over the charge in the larger interest of the party and nation.

The change in the JDU's top leadership also comes months before the 2024 Lok Sabha election and speculation over Nitish Kumar having Prime Ministerial ambition.

The party will hold the national council meeting later in the day, which will take another decision at party level.

Meanwhile, BJP took a dig at the meeting saying nothing will change in JD(U) if Nitish Kumar again becomes the party president.

BJP leader from Bihar Shahnawaz Hussain said, "The saffron party has a strong presence in Bihar and it will emerge as a strong party in the Lok Sabha election next year and state assembly election scheduled to be held in 2025."