Patna:
Before a trust vote that he won easily, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar provided an unfettered attack on
Narendra Modi. On Sunday, Mr Kumar ended a 17-year alliance with the BJP over its decision to place Mr Modi in charge of its election campaign. "The BJP says this is what party workers want," Mr Kumar said, "but the sentiment of party cadres does not reflect that of the country."
(Read: Nitish wins trust vote, Congress backs him, BJP boycotts)In a speech in the Bihar Assembly, Mr Kumar said that the BJP has accused him of betrayal and political hypocrisy by pinning the break up on Mr Modi. But the chief minister said that for years, he has made it clear that Mr Modi was a problematic part of the alliance "In 2005, for the state election, did an outsider come here? Was that person allowed here in 2009 for the national election campaign?" Mr Kumar asked.
(Highlights of Nitish Kumar's speech)Mr Kumar and his Janata Dal United or JD(U) are reliant on the support of Muslims, who form 17% of the state's population. Mr Modi was at the helm in Gujarat in 2002 when hundreds of Muslims were killed in riots.
The Bihar Chief Minister also undermined the development of Gujarat, which Mr Modi often places at the top of his list of accomplishments. "To take a state that is already doing well, and improve it...is that more remarkable than improving a very poor state? The Bihar model is truly inclusive, we leave nobody behind" Mr Kumar said.
Mr Kumar also responded to reports that to rally public support, the BJP plans to project Mr Modi as a backward caste leader in Bihar who has been undermined by Mr Kumar. "Just by being born in backward caste does not make anybody their leader. A person who is the well-wisher of corporate houses does not become leader of OBC by just taking birth in a backward caste family," he said and added, "a backward caste leader must empathise with people who have been marginalised. His policies should reflect a desire to fight for them."