Nitish issues veiled threat to BJP on Modi focus

Issuing a veiled threat to BJP over Narendra Modi's much-speculated projection as its Prime Ministerial candidate, JD(U) today said attempts to bring 'genetic modification' will bring about negative results and it will take a decision if its voice is not heard.

Senior JD(U) leader and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar also ruled himself out of the Prime Ministerial race, saying he does not nurse any such "illusion" with such "little" strength of his party, but made it clear that he would prefer for the top job a leader who carries all sections of society together.

"We want to remain together. When did we say that we want to part ways? But when we want to stay together, there are some fundamental issues," Kumar said, making no bones about his reservations on Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi without mentioning his name.

"Only one who can carry with him all the diverse sections of people can become the leader of the nation. This was Atal Behari Vajpayee's personality. Now, if there is an attempt to change the path, there is bound to be problems. The country does not run by mere projection. Some persons think they will create a wave and people will accept it," Kumar said.

In an apparent dig at Modi for his frequent reference to the Gujarat model of development, Kumar said many people accept it as development even when a developed state grows, and stressed that there is a need to see from where did a particular state start its development march.

Citing the case of Bihar where the NDA alliance led by him is in power for more than seven years, Kumar said, "Why will we go for genetic modification when the crop is in pink of health? Negative results are bound to happen if one makes an attempt of genetic modification."

Party President Sharad Yadav, however, chose to go a bit soft on the issue making an impassioned plea to keep alliance intact.

Yadav, who was re-elected as JD(U) president for the third consecutive time, asked party leaders to desist from taking names but clearly pointed towards the "restlessness" in JD(U) on the issue of Modi and reminded "ideology is thicker than blood".