Nitish Kumar firm on opposing Narendra Modi on Bihar campaigning

New Delhi : The differences between old allies Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Janata Dal (United (JD-U) over Narendra Modi (BJP) campaigning in Bihar showed no signs of respite even with approaching state elections as Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar (JD-U) on Thursday stood firm on his opposition to Modi.

While informing that the two parties will fight the Bihar elections together, Kumar said the matter of Modi, Gujarat chief minister and the Hindutva brigade?s poster boy, campaigning in Bihar was an internal issue of the BJP.

?This question should be addressed to the BJP and they should look at it as it’s their internal matter. My stand has been clear on this since beginning,? Kumar said when asked if there was any change in his opposition to Modi?s campaigning in Bihar.

He also added that the two parties will fight the polls on separate manifestos, though there understanding will remain intact.

The troubles between the two parties had emerged in June when Kumar had taken serious umbrage over a BJP advertisement during a meeting in Patna, showing Kumar holding hands with Modi.

Modi?s pro-Hindutva image could have a negative impact on Kumar?s secular image and fearing erosion of minority votes, the Bihar chief minister had distanced himself from his Gujarat counterpart.

Bihar goes to poll in six phases from October 21 to November 20 for its 243 assembly seats in which an estimated 5.50 crore electorate would exercise their franchise.