PATNA, Aug. 23 -- Rashtriya Lok Morcha ( RLM) chief and Rajya Sabha MP, Upendra Kushwaha has triggered a controversy by stating that he and his party is ready to become the true heir of the legacy of former chief minister Nitish Kumar as the JD(U) strongman has now taken a backseat from active politics, a statement which has drawn sharp reaction from the JD(U), BJP as well as opposition RJD. Kushwaha during an internal meeting of the RLM at Rajgir on Friday said that former CM had done very good work during his stint as chief minister of the state, but now the 75- year old has almost withdrawn from politics , which has left room for staking claim of the JD(U) strongman's legacy. "Nitish Kumar rajiniti se fursat le liye hain. Log chahatey hain hum air humari party unka virasat ko le aur kaam karein. ( People want that RLM should work to take over the legacy of former CM Kumar)," Kushwaha is heard telling the party members at the Rajgir event in video footage of the meeting, which was aired in the media. The RLM chief told HT that there is no harm if he has talked about positioning himself as an heir of former CM Kumar's legacy underlining how he has had a long association with the former railway minister and was one of the founding members of the Samata Party. The Samata Party was formed in 1993-94 after Nitish and other leaders broke away from the old Janata Dal following differences with RJD chief Lalu Prasad. In 1995 assembly polls, the Samata Party had contested polls but could not win big number of seats. "What I said that RLM has the same ideals and principles as that of former CM Kumar. We have shared a long association and follow the principles of former CM Karpoori Thakur for social justice , good governance. So, now when Nitish Kumar is now withdrawn himself from politics, it is natural there would be claimants for his legacy. I feel, we have a right to stake claim as heir of Kumar's legacy. There can always be other claimants and let there be a healthy competition," Kushwaha said. The statement by the RLM chief, a smaller ally of the NDA, assumes political significance as it has contours of how the former union minister is keen on gaining more ground in state politics as a strong OBC leader and also a formidable leader of his own community , Kushwahas and also Kurmis - the caste which former CM Kumar belongs to. The Kushwahas- Kurmis form a sizeable vote bank in Bihar and former CM Kumar succeeded in creating a new caste combination by forging unity among the two OBCs groups called 'Luv-Kush' factor, which yielded him rich political dividends in his long political career since mid 1990s. However, the NDA allies are seemingly not impressed by RLM chief's statement. JD(U) senior leader and minister Madan Sahani said the RLM chief's words that he should be the heir of former CM Kumar's legacy is a personal view of the Rajya Sabha MP. "First, former CM Kumar is very much active in politics, and he is guiding our party as a JD(U) national president. Secondly, our party has many tall leaders with Kumar's son and health minister Nishant Kumar already becoming active in the party. These are just personal views expressed by RLM chief . Outsiders would not decide who would be the successor or heir of Nitish Kumar," Sahani said. BJP spokesperson Kuntal Krishan said that the issue of deciding the heir of CM Kumar was not at all relevant at this point and these are matters that should be handled by the JD(U). Opposition RJD leader and spokesperson Ajeya Yadav said the RLM chief was day-dreaming of becoming the heir of former CM's legacy....