JDU in alliance with BJP, not RSS, says Nitish

After jolting ally BJP by stating that the NDA project a “secular” prime ministerial candidate for 2014, Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar took on the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh on Monday, dismissing criticism of his stand.

After jolting ally BJP by stating that the NDA project a “secular” prime ministerial candidate for 2014, Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar took on the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh on Monday, dismissing criticism of his stand.

“We have no connection with the RSS,” said the Janata Dal (United) leader, whose stand is seen as a thumbs down to Gujarat CM Narendra Modi’s potential projection as the BJP-led NDA’s PM candidate.

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He said the JD(U)’s alliance with the BJP was a political arrangement, based on a common minimum programme.

“This is why I am not at all bothered about what they (RSS) are saying about me or the alliance… Whatever I said, I did so after much thought. That’s my stand.”

Continuing in the combative vein, Kumar said the RSS had opposed his demand for reservation to Dalit Christians and Dalit Muslims.

On breaking ranks with the BJP on the presidential elections, where the JD(U) is supporting Congress-led UPA nominee Pranab Mukherjee, Kumar said, “We have supported Pranab Mukherjee and not the Congress or UPA. Mukherjee is a veteran parliamentarian and the best candidate for the post.”