Nitish is 'jealous' of Modi, says Paswan

Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan today accused senior JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar of attacking Prime Minister Narendra Modi out of "jealousy".

"Narendra Modi se jalan ke chalte Nitish Kumar arsh se pharsh par aa gaye hai...Agar abhi bhi nahi sambhle to aur bhugtege (Due to jealousy towards Narendra Modi, Nitish Kumar bit the dust and if he continues doing so will have to suffer more in future)," Paswan told reporters.

In the recent Parliamentary poll, BJP along with LJP and Rashtriya Lok Samata Party (RLSP) had won 31 out of a total 40 seats in Bihar. Nitish Kumar's JD(U) could manage only two seats.

Paswan, whose Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) is an ally of BJP in NDA, said Modi's popularity has crossed borders.

"Be it US, Japan or Australia, wherever he has gone recently, people and governments there gave him rousing welcome," he said.

The Prime Minister has brought a new ray of hope for youth in particular, he said.

On Kumar and JD(U) government raising fingers at the PM on the issue of special category status for Bihar, Paswan said, "Even if the status is given, it is of no use because the JD(U) government has failed to develop infrastructure in the state for it."

"Special status will be given to Bihar when NDA comes to power and create favourable conditions," Paswan said.

Paswan also accused Kumar for Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi's statements on various issues which has generated lot of controversy recently.

"Kumar is behind this so that people start saying that Kumar should return back as CM in place of Manjhi," he added.

Empathising with Manjhi, Paswan said, "Since he (Manjhi) is from a humble background he talks straight from his heart."

On the government inquiry report on stampede that had left 33 dead, the Union Minister charged the state government with making officials "scapegoat" for its own faults.

"This is an issue of murder of 33 persons. Whoever is responsible should be booked under 302 of IPC (murder)... efforts to whitewash the issue will not succeed," he said.

Paswan announced that LJP would launch its election campaign in the state from December 13 with a 'Rath yatra' which would continue till the polls next year.