Rahul slams Nitish for aligning with BJP

Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi on Thursday slammed Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for ditching the Grand Alliance and joining hands with the BJP for "personal gains".

"We were aware of what was going on from last three-four months. This is the problem with Indian politics. For the sake of power and personal gains, they compromise with anything," Gandhi told reporters outside Parliament, soon after Nitish Kumar was sworn in as Bihar Chief Minister for the sixth time in alliance with the BJP.

He added there were no rules and credibility in Indian politics.

"Bihar gave mandate to Nitishji to fight the communal forces. But, for his personal politics, Nitishji went and embraced them (BJP)," Gandhi added.

Congress spokesman Randeep Singh Surjewala, later asked what Gandhi was doing if he was aware of Nitish Kumar's intentions, said: "Restraint and wisdom are always key for a mature political leadership. Nitish Kumar's track record is known to the entire country when it comes to supporting his allies.

"Be it in 2002, be it in 1996, be it later with George Fernandes, before that with Sharad Yadav, after that with Jitan Ram Manjhi or with others."

"It is the innate faith that Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Vice President Rahul Gandhi showed in him (Nitish Kumar) and his word and solemn commitment made before the people of Bihar and to the people of Bihar that Congress Party believed in," he added.

--IANS

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