Bihar trust vote debate: Nitish Kumar raises secular pitch

Zee Media Bureau

Patna: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Wednesday hit out at his Gujarat counterpart Narendra Modi, saying, “We want a secular person to lead the nation, someone who worries about backward regions.” Nitish was speaking during the debate on trust vote in the state Assembly. The JD(U) won the trust vote comfortably. The CM further asked, “Now they are chanting his name, but why was that person not called to campaign in Bihar in 2005 and 2010.” He added: “Because they knew Modi won’t help win votes.” Nitish pointed out that the JD(U) was forced to quit the NDA, in the wake of Modi being named BJP’s 2014 poll campaign panel chief. “We wanted to run the alliance,” he said, adding “the BJP is now playing blame game.” Nitish said the people of Bihar had given mandate good governance; it’s political opportunism by BJP to criticise the JD(U). Referring to the 2003 video released by the BJP in which he was seen praising Modi, Nitish asked, “If I go as Rail Minister to a function, shall I criticise the person? Even in that speech I said there is a big blot on Gujarat.”