BJP responsible for political mess: JD(U)

PATNA: The ruling JD(U) in Bihar on Monday held ally BJP responsible for friction between the two over flood relief advertisements, but said it wanted to continue ties with the saffron party "in true spirit".

"We hold BJP responsible for the present mess arising out of the developments over (Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra) Modi ... But, we want to continue the relationship between the two parties," JD(U) national spokesperson Shivanand Tiwari said.

"The alliance should continue. It is the need of the hour to keep the people away from 'jungle raj' which was unleashed by RJD-LJP combine and Congress earlier," he said, adding the ties should continue in true spirit.

Tiwari said had the BJP prevented the advertisements from being published at the time of its National Executive here on June 12 and 13 that showed Modi holding hands with Kumar and the other advertisement about the relief for Kosi flood victims from Gujarat, the situation would have been averted.

"What we (alliance) did with full commitment for the uplift of minorities has come a cropper because of the advertisements for which the BJP alone is responsible," Tiwari said.

"People know that Bihar has a different political background. Everybody knows that the leader of the alliance is Nitish Kumar ... so what is the problem with the BJP in accepting the truth when elections are around the corner?" he asked.

He said if the chief minister objected to his Gujarat counterpart electioneering in Bihar, the BJP should concede it instead of stating that it would be decided at an appropriate time.

Tiwari asked the BJP to ponder over whether it would really gain from campaigning by Modi. "Are people of the state prepared to accept Modi as a leader? Will he be able to convince the electorate?"

He suggested that both sides be open to a threadbare discussion on these issues.