Nitish takes on Modi, says 'aspirant for PM should be patient'

Launching a frontal attack on BJP prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Tuesday said an aspirant for the post of Prime Minister must be patient.

"What excitement did Mr Modi have? Why are you sweating so much? People sitting on top of the country need to be brave. I heard that people of Gujarat love ice-cream, but why doesn't that sweetness reflect in your words," said Kumar.

"A man who aspires to attain India's highest post should be patient. He should learn to be brave, as it's the most respectful position in our nation. Despite the ice cream consumption, there is no sweetness in his speech," he added, without naming Modi.

Addressing the Janata Dal (United) convention here, Kumar said his ex-friends accuse him of failing to provide security for the BJP's Patna rally, but all security arrangements were made.

"They once praised me, and now, they are finding fault with me," he added.

The Bihar Chief Minister, who ended his party's alliance with the BJP in August over the latter's decision to give Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi the starring role in its campaign for the national elections, had earlier on Sunday said there should be no politics over the blasts.

Kumar, who announced Rs. five lakhs as financial assistance for the families of the deceased in the Patna serial blasts, confirmed that there was no intelligence input about the explosions.

Kumar also said the Bihar Police is confident of gaining pivotal information from the suspect regarding the investigation, and was confident of reaching solid conclusions about the perpetrators soon.

The low intensity blasts rocked Patna between 9.30 a.m. and 12.45 p.m. on Sunday shortly before Modi's address to a 'Hunkar rally' in Gandhi Maidan.