Nitish Kumar formally takes over as JD-U president

Patna, April 23  Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Saturday was officially coronated as the national president of the Janata Dal-United (JD-U) here.

JD-U general secretary K.C. Tyagi told the media that Nitish Kumar was formally endorsed by the party leaders and workers from across the country at the JD-U national council meeting in Patna.

"Nitish Kumar's election as national president was endorsed by the party at its national council meeting," Tyagi said.

Nitish Kumar was elected party president, replacing Sharad Yadav on April 10 at the party's national executive meeting held in New Delhi.

JD-U Bihar unit president Vashisht Narain Singh said that party leaders from 28 states attended the national council meeting.

"With Nitish Kumar as JD-U president, the party will play a more active role in national politics in the coming days," Singh said.