File photo
Patna:
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today ruled out any chance of a reunion with the BJP, even if it does not select arch-rival Narendra Modi as its presumptive prime minister.
"There is no question of any tie up with the BJP in future. It is impossible," the chief minister said in the Bihar Assembly, adding, "I've chosen my path... now our reunion is impossible."
Last month, Mr Kumar ended a 17-year-old alliance with the BJP over the promotion of Mr Modi as campaign-in-charge for his party.
His comments ruling out a reconciliation came on a day when BJP leader Shatrugan Sinha praised him as a potential prime minister and suggested the split may not be permanent.
"One should not burn all bridges as politics is art of possibility and flexibility," Mr Sinha told Press Trust of India. "If we are not together today it does not mean we cannot be together tomorrow also," he added.
The fact that Mr Modi was in charge of Gujarat when hundreds of Muslims were killed in communal violence in 2002 makes him an unacceptable national-level leader for Mr Kumar, who relies on the near 16 per cent Muslim population in Bihar for electoral support.
"There is no question of any tie up with the BJP in future. It is impossible," the chief minister said in the Bihar Assembly, adding, "I've chosen my path... now our reunion is impossible."
Last month, Mr Kumar ended a 17-year-old alliance with the BJP over the promotion of Mr Modi as campaign-in-charge for his party.
His comments ruling out a reconciliation came on a day when BJP leader Shatrugan Sinha praised him as a potential prime minister and suggested the split may not be permanent.
"One should not burn all bridges as politics is art of possibility and flexibility," Mr Sinha told Press Trust of India. "If we are not together today it does not mean we cannot be together tomorrow also," he added.
The fact that Mr Modi was in charge of Gujarat when hundreds of Muslims were killed in communal violence in 2002 makes him an unacceptable national-level leader for Mr Kumar, who relies on the near 16 per cent Muslim population in Bihar for electoral support.
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