This Article is From May 07, 2009

Nitish not for Modi as PM; blames 'Gujarat blot'

Nitish not for Modi as PM; blames 'Gujarat blot'
New Delhi:

Nitish Kumar, Chief Minister of Bihar who is being wooed by the Congress, has clearly disapproved of the talk that Narendra Modi could be BJP's future prime ministerial candidate for the candidate and said that the "Gujarat blot" of 2002 riots "can never be erased".

"In my view if the BJP had already named L K Advani as its prime ministerial candidate they should not have proposed any other name.

"If the BJP gets an absolute majority on its own, they can project whoever they want to as Prime Minister. In fact, if they can absolute majority, they do no not need the JD(U) at all," he told a TV channel when asked about Modi being projected by BJP leaders as a future prime minister.

He also condemned the riots in which a large number of Muslims were killed in the aftermath of the Godhra carnage in 2002.

"What happened in Gujarat should never have happened. However, much we criticise, it will never be enough.  The Gujarat blot can never be erased," he added.

Asked whether he felt Modi should apologise to the country, Kumar said, "We are not talking about individuals. Anyway an apology won't do.  If somebody asks for an apology will he be forgiven? As far as the NDA is concerned Advani is our leader, and that is non-negotiable."

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