Modi thanks Bihar for Gujarat earth quake help – subtle dig at Nitish?

Speaking at BJP’s Swabhiman rally in Patna on Sunday, Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi thanked the people of Bihar for their help to Gujarat at the time of Gujarat earthquake in year 2001. Modi said, “as I have come here for the first time after 2001, I am obliged to thank the people of Bihar. I want to thank you because in year 2001 when there was a major earth quake in Gujarat, the people of Bihar reached Gujarat, and helped us. As I have arrived for the first time here after 2001, I thank the people of Bihar.”

Modi’s this comment was seen as subtle dig at Nitish Kumar, who had said a day before that he would like to send back Gujarat’s help to Bihar during Kosi flood.

Speaking about Gujarat’s relations with Bihar, Modi said while Gujarat received Shri Jay Prakash Narayan’s guidance during Nav Nirman movement, the state of Bihar received guidance of Mahatma Gandhi. Modi narrated how in Indian national symbol there is a depiction of lions of Gujarat and Ashok chakra of Bihar.

“There is no district of Bihar, from where some persons are not settled in Gujarat. The Biharis have progressed in Gujarat and their hard work has contributed to Gujarat’s progress too. In earlier times when our relatives were settled outside in some other village, a person coming from there used to deliver message to us from our relatives. Today I am in that role. And I want to tell you good news of the people of Bihar settled in Gujarat,” Modi said. Modi then spoke same line in Bihari language reading a paper.