People will not tolerate a 'divisive' leader: Nitish

A day after Narendra Modi's elevation as BJP's prime ministerial candidate, Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar on Saturday said that the people of this country would not tolerate or accept a 'divisive' leader. HT reports.

A day after Narendra Modi's elevation as BJP's prime ministerial candidate, Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar on Saturday said that the people of this country would not tolerate or accept a 'divisive' leader.

“I had told you so three months ago. We had foreseen it and took a right decision. It has vindicated our stand. For the BJP, it is like 'Vinash Kale Vipreet Buddhi (Reason does not work at times of doom).

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Justifying his decision to sever ties with the BJP soon after elevation of Modi as party's campaign committee chief, Kumar said that his worst fears has come true eventually. “People of this country will not tolerate those who believed and practiced divisive policy,” he said.

Kumar said that the BJP decision has further weakened the opposition unity. “When in NDA, we had categorically suggested the BJP to expand the NDA by roping in more parties with proven secular credentials and national acceptance. But their vision for the country aims to divide communities and weaken the country,” he said.

Instead of forging unity of like-minded parties and opposing the Centre on the issue like price rise and corruption, the BJP has lost a trusted friend like JD (U), he said on the sidelines of a function.

On jubilation in the BJP, Kumar said they might be celebrating within the party but common people were unaffected. “The BJP is trying to create an environment in favour of their leader but they would never succeed,” he said.

Ever since the BJP nominated Narendra Modi as its campaign committee chief at Goa, Kumar has been opposing the move within the NDA, of which he was a part till recently. On June 16, he decided to end the 17-year relationship saying that the BJP was making way for a leader (Modi) for country's top job.