Patna, October 27: Describing opportunistic politics as the bane of democracy in Bihar, BJP’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi on Sunday accused his political rival Nitish Kumar of betraying the people. “The people of Bihar are not opportunistic, save a few exceptions. I learnt to digest the insult to myself, but their [JD(U)’s] intentions were different. [Mr. Kumar’s] advisers told him to join hands with the Congress so that he could become Prime Minister. He has not betrayed the BJP; he has betrayed the crores of people of Bihar,” Mr. Modi said addressing the Hunkar rally at the Gandhi Maidan here.
Referring to a meeting of Chief Ministers in Delhi, Mr. Modi cited Mr. Kumar’s unease about sitting at the same table with him and said, “There is a limit to hypocrisy.”
Calling Mr. Kumar “our friend,” he said, “Why will those who left JP not leave the BJP? He [Mr. Kumar] has betrayed the legacy of [Ram Manohar] Lohia. He is playing hide and seek with the Congress.” The BJP had sacrificed the post of Chief Minister and accepted Mr. Kumar’s leadership to keep the “jungle raj” out. When Mr. Kumar opposed his coming to Bihar for campaigning, the party swallowed that insult too.
“The UPA is making a mockery of people’s poverty. The Planning Commission says you are not poor if you have Rs. 26 a day. In Rs. 26, you can’t even buy tea for the family,” Mr. Modi said.
