Nitish vows to 'put BJP in its place'

Bihar CM Nitish Kumar today said he would work tirelessly to shrink the BJP back to its original size. Also, ruling out any future alliance with the BJP, Kumar said his decision to sever ties with the BJP was irreversible come what may. Ashok Mishra reports.

Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar on Tuesday said he would work tirelessly to shrink the BJP back to its original size and position.

“The BJP will once again be reduced to a small party and be put in its place. It is my resolve, that I will once again bring the BJP to a position where they stood before joining hands with the JD (U),” Kumar said in the state assembly.

“I took a proper decision at an opportune moment. I assure you, that my return to the NDA fold is not possible anymore. I am relieved that I took this decision and charted an independent path,” he said.

Kumar's comments followed a barb by RJD leader Abdul Bari Siddiqqui that he might re-align with the BJP post the general elections, once the chances of BJP leader LK Advani of heading the government turned brighter. He also held Kumar responsible for turning the BJP politically stronger in the state.

“My decision to part ways with BJP has been vindicated by the conduct of its members, who try to play divisive politics. People have not given mandate to the BJP to sit in the opposition, but to be a part of the government. They should have sat on the treasury benches but they jumped to the other side and started playing the role of the opposition,” he said.