As Nitish fumes, Gadkari pats him for making Bihar vibrant

BJP president Nitin Gadkari today showered praise on Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar seeking a second term for the NDA government in the state even as the coalition showed signs of strain over the advertisement row.

BJP president Nitin Gadkari on Saturday showered praise on Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar seeking a second term for the NDA government in the state even as the coalition showed signs of strain over the advertisement row.

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"For the first time, Bihar is witnessing a government that is functioning and bringing desired results. Previous rulers had embarrassed the people with their insensitive and ineffecient rule," Gadkari said in his inaugural speech at the two-day party national executive here.

He congratulated Kumar and Deputy Chief Minister Sunil Kumar Modi for making Bihar a vibrant state.

"I must congratulate the NDA leadership here for making every Bihari a proud citizen of a state that has witnessed a phenomenal 11 per cent growth rate," Gadkari said.

Pitching for a second term for the alliance, he expressed confidence it would get the support of voters in the upcoming assembly election in the state.

However, Nitish Kumar came down heavily on Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi for making claims through an advertisement in some papers here that the Gujarat government had contributed liberally to the Bihar Chief Minister's Relief Fund to help the victims of 2008 Kosi floods.

He said this was an "uncivilised" behaviour and even threatened to return the unspent money.

Kumar also objected to another advertisement showing him with Modi.

A dinner to be hosted by Kumar for the visiting BJP top brass was also cancelled, casting doubts on the stability of the alliance.