Patna: Union minister Upendra Kushwaha steered clear of controversy on Friday after creating a flutter in the NDA earlier by saying that chief minister Nitish Kumar should step down and make way for a new face as candidate for chief minister in the 2020 Assembly elections.

Kushwaha was in Patna on Friday to take part in a programme on the occasion of Guru Purnima organised by his RLSP at Miller High School where he felicitated 10 teachers, three of who had taught him.

When asked about his statement on Nitish, Kushwaha said: "I am requesting you, and if you want I can touch your feet, please do not mix education with politics. I'm here to take part in a Guru Purnima programme and this isn't the time to speak on politics."

Earlier, Kushwaha had told a television channel, he believed Nitish should move on to playing a larger political role, but didn't specify what. He had gone on to say that Nitish has served the state for 15 years and it was enough time for anyone to demonstrate their capabilities. Soon after his statement, JDU national spokesperson K.C. Tyagi had said that Kuswaha was a marginalised leader like Madhu Koda.

He has indirectly tried to project himself as a chief ministerial candidate and said on record that every politician aspires for such a role.

At several party functions, his supporters raise slogans like "Bihar ka CM kaisa ho, Upendra Kushwaha jaisa ho. (What should Bihar's chief minister be like, he should be like Upendra Kushwaha.)"

The "rift" in the NDA surfaced after Kushwaha demanded talks on seat-sharing and skipped an NDA feast in June. Few months back, he had organised a human chain on Siksha Sudhar but instead of his allies, the RJD joined it.

RJD leader Tejashwi Prasad Yadav has openly invited him to join his camp but, so far, Kushwaha has denied he was crossing over, calling the whole thing a canard being spread by the Opposition.

Sources in the RLSP said Kushwaha is a hard bargainer and will take a call at the eleventh hour, once details of seat-sharing are clear.

Senior BJP leader and deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi had on Thursday snubbed Kushwaha, tweeting that the BJP does not agree with any NDA leader's personal opinion about replacing Nitish Kumar in 2020.