RJD suspends legislator for praising Modi

The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) Wednesday suspended its legislator Nawal Kishore Yadav for praising Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi.

"The RJD has suspended Nawal Kishore Yadav from the party for six years for airing his stand on Modi, contrary and totally different from the party's stand," RJD state president Ramchandra Purve said here.

Nawal Kishore Yadav had praised Modi Tuesday and said he was better than Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the most popular leader in the country.

"He was suspended following a directive from RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav," Purve said.

Nawal Kishore Yadav had also said: "Modi's style and body language have made him icons of millions of people, particularly the youth" and that he would be the "best prime minister".

This was the first time that a leader in Bihar other than the BJP praised Modi. Lalu Yadav and his RJD have been critical of Modi since the 2002 Gujarat riots.

The legislator surprised RJD leaders here who are reluctant to comment on his praise for Modi, considered enemy number one of the RJD.

"The RJD cannot compromise on our stand on secularism. If a party leader or legislator praises a communal leader like Modi, the party will not tolerate it. We have been forced to take action against Nawal Kishore Yadav," Purve said.