Rahul praising Nitish indicates Cong's losing battle: Heptullah

Kolkata, May 6 (ANI): BJP leader Najma Heptullah on Wednesday said that Rahul Gandhi's new found admiration for NDA ally Nitish Kumar is a clear indication that the Congress party is losing the Lok Sabha elections.

"That Congress leader Rahul Gandhi sought to reach out to NDA partners like Nitish Kumar, and praised him for development (of Bihar), is a clear indication that they are losing the elections," BJP leader Najma Heptullah told reporters at a press conference.

She, unlike other BJP leaders, accepted AICC General Secretary Rahul Gandhi's "awareness of ground realities."

"Rahul has been touring the country and is aware of the ground realities. He is also aware that NDA is set to come to power again," she said.

Heptullah accused the Congress Party of applying double standards in Lalu Prasad Yadav's case. She said the party didn't shy away from taking support of RJD chief Laloo Prasad to form government in 2004, whose Jungle Raj they had criticized when he was the chief minister of Bihar.

Replying to questions, she also spoke against former NDA ally and Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee for her opposition to the Nano car project at Singur.

"This project could have ensured employment for many youth. It appears Trinamool has been imitating what the Left used to do in the past, opposing projects and going for bandhs", she said.

On the possibility of Mamata's return to the NDA fold, Heptullah said, "it is for her to take a decision". (ANI)