Sushil Modi welcomes BJP decision for him to work in Bihar

PATNA: Senior BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi today described as "speculative" media reports that he was interested in going to Rajya Sabha from Bihar to become a minister in NDA government at the centre and said he respected party's decision for him to continue working for the state.

"It was a media speculation," he told reporters when asked about his name cropping up for Rajya Sabha nomination in the biennial poll.

"I respect party's decision asking me to continue working for Bihar," Sushil Modi, who is state BJP Parliamentary Board leader, said after his weekly public interaction programme.

Sushil Modi, who has been the face of the party in the state for long, said he never expressed any personal desire for any post or position.

Media reports had suggested name of Sushil Modi for Rajya Sabha to become a minister in the Narendra Modi government.

The party choice finally fell on former state BJP president Gopal Narayan Singh, who filed his nomination today.

BJP on the basis of its strength of 53 in Legislative Assembly in Bihar could easily win one seat out of five that fell vacant. JD(U) and RJD have fielded two candidates each for the rest four seats.

Sushil Modi also rubbished media reports about "rumbling" within BJP over selection of Singh and claimed he is a "consensus" candidate of the party and NDA as a whole.

"The fact that I and other BJP leaders along with those from allies LJP, HAM and RLSP were present at the nomination of Gopal Narayan Singh and two other party nominees for Legislative Council dismisses any rumbling," he said.

Asked about selection of Singh against whom there were a few cases, Sushil Modi defended him saying "there are no less than a dozen cases due to political rivalry against me too."