Paswan sees conspiracy to defame BJP, Nitish behind communal

Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan today blamed the opposition parties in Bihar for the recent communal flare ups witnessed in various parts of the state and claimed there was a conspiracy to defame the Nitish Kumar government in the state and the BJP.

"A smear campaign is on against the BJP. Why did not riots take place in Bihar between 2005 and 2013 when Nitish Kumar ran the government with the BJP? Why communal tensions erupted only after he severed ties with the RJD and the Congress? There is clearly a conspiracy by the opposition parties," Paswan said.

"Bihar has never known what communalism is. It is the land of Jayaprakash Narayan. If anybody alleges that (BJP leader and deputy chief minister) Sushil Kumar Modi is communal, nobody is going to believe him," Paswan, whose Lok Janshakti Party is an NDA constituent, said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar were present at a function on Swachh Bharat Mission where Paswan was delivering his address here in East Champaran district.

In his speech, Kumar spoke on Swachh Bharat Mission and Mahatma Gandhi's emphasis on the virtue of cleanliness.

"We intend to make the new generation aware of Gandhi's thoughts. Even if a small percentage of our youths become familiar with Gandhi, it will go a long way in ridding our society of violence," he said.

Speaking on the occasion, Union minister Uma Bharati showered praise on the Prime Minister, saying Modi transformed Gujarat while he was the chief minister of the state.