Maharajganj: Fissures in Bihar ministry over Modi issue

New Delhi, June 6: Is there minor revolt in Bihar cabinet over Narendra Modi issue after the Maharajganj election defeat? And, Modi may visit Bihar in October, defying an unofficial ban.

Two senior ministers in Nitish Kumar ministry have taken on Chief Minister Nitish Kumar over his statement that Maharajganj bypoll defeat was not a reversal for NDA as RJD merely retained the seat. BJP ministers Giriraj Singh and Ashwini Kumar Choubey have said that it was NDA debacle because voters were "aggrieved" over JD(U) comments on Narendra Modi.

"This is statement of 'atma santushti' (self-satisfaction) ...it is a NDA defeat in Maharajganj by-election," Singh said today disagreeing with Kumar's comment.

Singh, who is Animal Husbandry minister, said one big reason for defeat of JD(U) candidate P K Shahi in Maharajganj was that voters were "aggrieved" over the aggressive comments of JD(U) against Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi.

"This aspect shall not be ignored," Singh, a big supporter of Modi, said.

"Unsavory comments on Narendrabhai by the JD (U) leaders apparently alienated the voters from Sahiji and became a major factor for his defeat," said Bihar health minister Ashwini Kumar Choubey.

Nitish Kumar and JD(U) have time and again said that Modi is not acceptable to them as prime ministerial candidate due to Gujarat riot.

Meanwhile, in a move that will displease Nitish, Giriraj Singh has said that Modi would come to Patna in October to address 'Hunkar rally'.

"Is there a curfew on entry of Modi in Bihar...he will 200 per cent welcome to address BJP Hunkar rally in October this year," Singh said adding "we need not seek permission from anybody for this".