By TwoCircles.net Staff Writer,
Patna: Taking his anger over Gujarat government’s last week ad in Patna dailies claiming Narendra Modi’s liberal donation for Kosi flood 2008 victims to its logical conclusion, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today returned Rs 5 crore aid to Gujarat. During the recent BJP National Executive meet here, Modi had published a full-page ad on Kosi aid.
The publication of Nitish’ photograph holding hand of Narendra Modi in another advertisement in Patna dailies last week had added fuel to the fire.
Speaking to a television channel today, Bihar Disaster Management Minister Devesh Thakur termed the return of aid as step to maintain his government’s secualr image. Thakur reportedly said: “We felt… the whole issue was in compliance with our secular image so we returned the money.”
He further said: “We feel minorities should feel safe and secure in the state. Modi has an image of being anti-secular, so we don’t want this to affect our party.”
Expressing his anger over the Kosi ad, Nitish had termed as “uncivilised” Gujarat government’s claim of aid for Kosi flood victims.
He also took strong exception to the use of Modi-Nitish hand-holding photograph in local dailies and said he would take legal action against those responsible for it.
Nitish’s party Janata Dal (United) is alliance partner of the ruling NDA government in Bihar. BJP’s Sushil Kumar Modi is Deputy Chief Minister.
[Photo by topnews.in]