Modi-Nitish spat spurs blame game within BJP

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A blame game has begun in the BJP after controversy over advertisement showing Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar with his Gujarat counterpart Narendra Modi. A section within the party feels that the present controversy is also the result of deputy chief minister and BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi’s willingness to play a subservient

role in the state government. It could be mentioned here that a majority section in the BJP’s Bihar unit had revolted against Mr Modi two years back. This section had charged Mr Modi of behaving like a “puppet” in the hands of the Bihar CM and was persistent on getting him replaced.
“Both the BJP and the JD(U) are part of the NDA. But in Bihar politics, though its a JD(U) led government, Modi never attempted to give importance to BJP. This emboldened the chief minister to treat BJP and its state leaders as second-class citizens,” said a senior state BJP leader, who is also a minister in Mr Kumar’s government.
BJP sources disclosed the main reason behind holding the national executive in poll bound Bihar was to generate the momentum in favour of the ruling alliance in the state. But with the ad row followed by Mr Kumar cancelling the dinner he was to host for the BJP leaders, the saffron party was left in much discomfort.
Bihar chief minister had also criticised the Gujarat government’s claim that it had provided aid liberally to Bihar after the Kosi floods, prompting Mr Kumar to say that it was an “uncivilised” comment and he was willing to return the relief money.
Some state BJP leaders are also of the view that had Sushil Modi played proper role of coalition partner in the state government and not a “mere second fiddle,” the controversy would not had reached to such limit.
“Bihar is a NDA ruled state and Mr Kumar reacting so strongly to his photograph with Narendra Modi who is a senior BJP leader, was really uncalled for,” said a senior BJP leader.
Sources in the BJP disclosed that party’s top brass was embarrassed when Mr Kumar said he would take action against agency which brought out advertisements of him shaking hands with Gujarat chief minister.
With Assembly elections scheduled in Bihar, Mr Kumar, who wants to have a secular image, despite having alliance with the saffron party, had also declined BJP’s offer to attend the Bihar Swabhiman Rally. The main reason, sources said, was that he was reluctant to share the platform with Gujarat chief minister. Even during the Lok Sabha polls, Mr Kumar had said that he did not require Mr Modi to campaign for his party, following which Mr Modi who is considered BJP’s star campaigner, did not visit Bihar.