The Muslim leaders of the JD(U) are happy over what they called "chief minister Nitish Kumar's befitting reply to the conspiracy hatched by Gujarat CM Narendra Modi" through an advertisement.
"We are in an advantageous position. We'll triumph even if we contest assembly polls separately," said Rajya Sabha member Ali Anwar. "Modi made a move on the chessboard and Nitish ran it down. Let him make another move and we are ready to reply in the same language," he added.
On Saturday evening when there should have been a big party at the CM's residence for the BJP leaders attending the national executive meeting here, the place was deserted with only few JD(U) leaders sitting in the lawns and the labourers dismantling the 'shamianas' which had been pitched for the dinner. The dinner was cancelled by the CM abruptly.
Monazir Hasan, member of Lok Sabha, said the time is ripe now to severe ties with the BJP. "This adertisement is a well-planned conspiracy to malign Nitish's image which has touched new heights at the national level. People like Modi do not want him to become politically stronger," Hasan alleged.
Both Anwar and Hasan were closeted with Nitish late on Saturday evening, along with other leaders. Most of them were of the opinion that the hard-hitting reply by Nitish has left the BJP speechless and demoralized. "For over four years this government is running smoothly on an agreed agenda. Now we will not allow the BJP to enforce its agenda," said Anwar.
Most of them agreed that the JD(U) should not hasten to break its alliance with the BJP and wait for its next move. Anwar said the issue will be discussed threadbare at a proper party forum.
The JD(U) leaders are gaga over what they called the "bold stand" taken by the chief minister in an election year. Hasan said Muslims have enthusiastically thrown their weight behind the JD(U) and the party cannot afford to lose their support. Muslims constitute about 16 per cent of the total population of Bihar.
Nitish's stand was also supported by senior leader and former CM Jagannath Mishra. He said the Bihar chief minister's reaction to Modi's move was praise worthy. "It has further refurbished Nitish's secular credentials. This also shows his strong commitment not to compromise on secular agenda," Mishra said.
Sourse:- The Times of India
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