New Delhi: The Communist Party of India (CPI) on Sunday backed Chief Minister Nitish Kumar`s decision to return to Gujarat the Rs 5 crore given for flood relief, terming it an act of "self-respect of Bihar".
S Sudhakar Reddy, deputy general secretary of the CPI, said it was high time that Nitish Kumar and his Janata Dal-United (JD-U) severed ties with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) nationally.
"Nitish and JD-U have nothing common with BJP`s communal agenda. He (Nitish) and his party have always stood for secularism and development. It is high time for them to sever all ties with the BJP," Reddy told a news agency.
He said that opportunism for power in Bihar had united the JD-U and the BJP. "If Nitish severs ties with the BJP, it will be good for the state`s development and it also help strengthen secular forces," he said.
A miffed Nitish Kumar on Saturday returned the Rs 5 crore given for flood relief over advertisements featuring him and Narendra Modi and the latter`s reference to the aid provided by Gujarat during the 2008 Kosi floods.
"Modi`s reference to the flood relief amount given to Bihar by his government is an act of insult to the people of Bihar. Nitish`s decision to return that money is an act of self respect," Reddy said.
IANS