In a no holds barred attack on the Bihar Chief Minister, the BJP’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi on Monday said Nitish Kumar’s arrogance was bigger than Mt Everest and accused him of breaking the NDA alliance in Bihar for the sake of his vaulting political ambition. Addressing a poll rally in Purnea, Modi also targeted Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi and leaders of the Third Front.
Taking a jibe at Kumar, the Gujarat Chief Minister (CM) said when the JD(U)-BJP alliance ended in Bihar, for days he mulled over its possible reasons, but the reason became clear to him just a few days ago. “Earlier, some people said it was his (Nitish Kumar’s) arrogance, some saw it as back-stabbing, but I realized two-three days ago that it was the dream of becoming the Prime Minister that did not let him sleep.”
Modi was obviously referring to Kumar’s recent statement in which he claimed he was better suited for the post of Prime Minister (PM) than Modi or Rahul Without taking Nitish Kumar’s name, Narendra Modi also asserted that “he is so arrogant that he thinks himself higher than Mt Everest and feels that nothing is possible without him.” Modi also took on Nitish for returning the funds the Gujarat Government had sent to the State after the 2010 floods in Kosi river.
“What’s the guarantee that when the BJP Government comes to the Centre, this arrogant man would not refuse to take any special grant for the development of the State,” asked Modi. “First that arrogant leader should apologize for refusing to take the help given by Gujarat Government...this is the need of the hour,” said Modi. He claimed that in Bihar altogether 1,900 schools were running only on paper and 90 of them were in Patna itself.
Referring to the Sachar Committee report, the BJP leader reeled out statistics to show that the socio-economic condition of the minority community in Gujarat was far better than Bihar and others States in the country. “The parties who clamour for the well being of the minority community only indulge in vote bank politics, but in reality do nothing for them. This has to be understood thoroughly,” he said.
Next, Narendra Modi took on RJD boss lalu Prasad and his alliance with the Congress. “Since he (lalu Prasad) has come out of jail even the cattle are scared that he may again eat into their fodder,” Modi said, reminding people of lalu Prasad’s involvement in the multi-crore fodder scam. “Now the time has come for three types of alliance governance in the country: Gatbandhan, bhrashtbandhan aur lathbandhan...you people have to decide which way to go,” said Modi.
Taking on the formation of the Third Front, Modi said that such a formation sprung up only after the poll bugle blew. “Third Front is always formed to save the Congress Party…almost all Third Front leaders are either ex-PMs or want to become PM,” he said. Taking a dig at Third Front leaders, he said they have already got new clothes stitched to become the next PM of the country. “And, here you see this arrogant man who thinks that there is no one more capable than himself in the entire country,” Modi said.
“Where was the Third Front when the Kosi deluge happened in this part of BiharIJ Where was the Third Front when there was an earthquake in GujaratIJ Where was the Third Front when our soldiers were beheaded at the borderIJ” Modi asked. The Gujarat CM also took potshots at Rahul Gandhi, addressing him as shahzada a number of times. “I wish to ask this shahzada of the Congress why he always makes allegations but is never willing to give answer,” he said.
“Your party keeps telling people that it has given mobile phones to the common people, but it is also true that people have to go to other villages to charge their mobile phones. What about electricityIJ” asked Modi.