Ludhiana/Patna, May 10: Rejecting Congress and
Left overtures, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Sunday said
there was "no possibility" of his being in touch with non-NDA
parties and asked the people to bring the BJP-led alliance to
power to "avenge" the Centre`s attitude towards his state.
"I have clarified on several occasions that neither I
am in touch with anybody nor any party or leader (from outside
NDA) has contacted me. I am saying this clearly that there is
no possibility of I being in touch with anybody at all," Kumar
told reporters in Patna before his departure for Ludhiana
where he joined a rally of NDA leaders.
Kumar`s comments assume significance in the wake of CPI
(M) leader Prakash Karat`s recent remarks that talks were on
with the JD(U) leadership and that "they have a significant
role to play after the elections" and also Congress leader
Rahul Gandhi`s praise for the Bihar Chief Minister.
Kumar claimed NDA will emerge as the largest
alliance. He said that other parties would also be attracted
to NDA. "The NDA can get majority also. But there is a
possibility of NDA plus other parties emerging as a combine."
Addressing the rally in Ludhiana, Kumar asked the
migrant Bihari population in Punjab to ensure NDA`s victory.
He exhorted the Biharis "to make each vote count and
ensure the victory of NDA alliance in the country in order to
avenge the Centre`s attitude".
Earlier, when BJP leader Narendra Modi came on the
stage he straight away went to Nitish Kumar, who had earlier
refused to join a poll rally with the Gujarat chief minister,
and greeted him. Modi caught hold of Kumar`s hand and both
raised their hands in a show of unity.
Kumar accused the UPA government of failing to
rehabilitate and provide adequate relief to the people of
Bihar during natural calamities.
"The Prime Minister had declared Kosi deluge as a
national tragedy and since we were short on funds, my
government had requested the Centre to send money for relief
and rescue purpose.
"They made tall claims of sending money than requested
by us. However as soon as elections in Kosi region got over
recently, the Centre demanded back the money. During the time
of a natural calamity when everybody helps each other, the
Centre is more concerned about getting its money back," Kumar
said.
"Its shameful for the country," he said. Pointing to
the contribution of Bihari community to Punjab`s economy, he
said "the bonds between Punjabis and Biharis are so strong
that they cannot be broken" and thanked Punjab Chief Minister
Parkash Singh Badal for the generosity shown towards Bihar
during natural calamities.
Asked how much he thought the NDA would benefit from
the TRS showing inclination to join the alliance, Kumar said
in Patna with the existence of a strong possibility of the NDA
emerging as the biggest alliance in a position to form the
government, more potential allies would be attracted towards
it.
Bureau Report
