Statements against Nitish show Lalu Yadav's frustration: BJP

Hitting out at Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav for calling Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar a 'turncoat', the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday said that the former is frustrated as people of Bihar are supporting the Chief Minister.

"Lalu Yadav is letting out his frustration on Nitish Kumar. He is blaming Kumar for no reason. As the public is supporting Nitish Kumar, therefore Lalu is having problems with him," BJP leader Shahnawaz Hussain told ANI.

He added that Bihar feels proud of Nitish Kumar as he has a clean stature in politics.

"People of Bihar will always have faith in Nitish Kumar. He will take the state to new heights of developments," Hussain said.

Another BJP leader Rameshwar Chaurasiya echoed a similar sentiment.

"Under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, this country will soon be free from corruption and anyone coming in the way will also face consequences. I think Nitish Kumar's inclusion in the BJP has been proved beneficial for Bihar. No matter how many statements Lalu Yadav makes against Nitish Kumar, the public will always go against him," he added.

A day after Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar accused long time ally Lalu Prasad Yadav of being smothered in corruption, the latter on Tuesday hit back asserting that his long-time-friend-turned-foe is a 'turncoat' and is known for his dubious character.

Lalu said, "I know Nitish Kumar from the beginning as I'm senior to him. He is one big 'Palturam' (turncoat) whose true colours will soon show.

From the very beginning, he is known for his dubious character. Nitish has forgotten the days when he used to take my blessing and go for any political debate or talks."

Taking a jibe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Lalu said that Nitish used to speak ill of BJP and today he is singing their glory.

Earlier on Monday, Nitish, while addressing his first press conference after joining hands with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), declared that no one is capable to face and beat Prime Minister Modi in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

He praised Prime Minister Modi, calling him the "biggest leader" in the country and added that "there is no one who can defeat him."

Nitish also explained that he had given Lalu Yadav ample opportunities to explain the charges of corruption against him, but to no avail.

If Lalu had explained himself over the corruption allegations, then situation could have been different in Bihar, Nitish said.

On July 26, Nitish resigned as the chief minister and ended two-year alliance with the RJD and the Congress over corruption charges against his deputy and Prasad's son Tejashwi Yadav.

Nitish, however, the very next day, formed an alliance with the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and was sworn-in as the chief minister of the state - for the sixth time.