Rediff.com« Back to articlePrint this article

Will react only to BJP's official stand on PM: JD-U

January 28, 2013 18:38 IST

Shortly after senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader Yashwant Sinha said that he thinks his party should name Gujarat CM Narendra Modi as its prime ministerial candidate for 2014 general elections, BJP-led National Democratic Alliance’s largest ally Janata Dal-United sought to downplay Sinha’s remarks by stating that it wasn’t BJP’s official stand.

“Our party (JD-U) had already made its stand clear on NDA’s PM candidature, and it is known to all. If BJP will come out with its official stand, the JD-U will react then,” party spokesperson Neeraj Kumar told mediapersons in Patna.

JD-U leader and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has openly revealed his party’s reservations over naming ‘communal’ Modi as NDA’s PM candidate.

Another JD-U leader and party MP Ali Anwar Ansari noted that Nitish Kumar had already made his stand clear on the lines of party’s principles. “Now the JD-U will not repeat it again. The party will announce its stand if BJP declares anything officially”.

“If Nitish Kumar (Bihar CM and leader of Janata Dal-United, crucial alliance partner of BJP-led NDA) is not happy let him quit the alliance. Modi can lead the way," Sinha had said.

Taking a dig at Nitish Kumar, Sinha said, either the whole party is communal or its not, but only one individual (Modi) should not be dubbed as communal.

M I Khan in Patna