Modi in Bihar:two advertisements upset Nitish

Chief Minister and ally JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar today termed as “uncivilised” the newspaper advertisements that thank Gujarat govt for donating liberally to Bihar after the 2008 Kosi floods.

“The claim (on flood relief) is uncivilised and against Indian culture. Nobody claims of bestowing favours on those who face tragedy caused by natural calamities,” Kumar, who heads the JD(U)- BJP government in Bihar, told reporters here.

An agitated JD(U) leader said he would return the “unutilised money” to the Modi Government. “I do not know the exact amount contributed to the Relief Fund by Gujarat.

The advertisement published by Dr. Dilipkumar Jayaswal(state treasurer, BJP and member Bihar Vidhan Parishad Purniya-Arariya-Kishanganj is sponsored by BJP’s Purniya-Arariya-Kishanganj unit. The advertisement has photographs of Narendra Modi and Dilipkumar Jayaswal both. The ad welcomes Narendra Modi and congratulates him for the relief material sent by Gujarat government for Kosi flood victims. It also says that Bihar’s 8 crore people are thankful to Modi(for that aid).

Agitated by another advertisement, Nitish cancels dinner

Upset with showing Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Narendra Modi holding hands, Nitish Kumar has canceled dinner, which was scheduled for the BJP National Executive members along with Narendra Modi at his residence in Patna on Saturday.

The controversy started when the BJP’s two-day national executive kicked off in Patna today. One advertisement showed welcoming Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi to Bihar, and also shows Modi and Nitish holding hands. The advertisement has upset Nitish Kumar, who is not too happy about being shown to be so close to Modi, since it might upset his Muslim votebank. He has said his photograph has been used without his permission and he could even take legal action.

Commenting on the incident, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said, “If my photograph has been used in the advertisement. I have no information on it, my office does not know about it, no consent has been taken for it. So whatever legal action is possible we will take.”

The advertisement published by Vinodkumar Paliwal(post-Pusa road, Samastipur) of Sudha group of industries(Surat,Gujarat), Ajitkumar Jain(Patna city), Niranjan Agrawal(Rambag Patna), ML Alamkhan(Chandauli, Sivan) welcomes Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi to Bihar. The advertisement has photograph of Narendra Modi and Nitishkumar joining hands. The text of the advertisement says “for centuries, till today, Bihar and Gujarat has close relation. In the time of problem, Gujarat has always stood with Bihar. In year 2008, during Kosi river flood calamity, Gujarat extended the best help to Bihar under leadership of Narendra Modi. For many people like us who left their birthplace with hope, the state of Gujarat is like other home. And here we found self-esteem, peace and access to equal opportunities on the ground. It is possible that our religion might be different. perhaps our faith might be different, but in Gujarat we all live peacefully and happilly under one sky. In last 10 years, under Chief Minister Narendra Modi’s powerful leadership, Gujarat has touched new heights of development. And this is the reason for our development. Today Gujarat has emerged as a roll model when it comes to development and livelyhood. We the people of Bihar, settled in Gujarat are thankful to Narendra Modi for his works and hope that similar magic happen in Bihar too.”