Delhi election: Now estranged ally JDU wishes Kejriwal, flays saffron party

Patna, Feb 3: Senior JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar today extended best wishes to Aam Admi Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwal for the Delhi elections and said BJP had fielded Kiran Bedi sensing defeat.

"Pairo tale jameen khishakne ke karan BJP Kiran Bedi ko le kar ayi (BJP has roped in Kiran Bedi sensing defeat)," Kumar told reporters here.

He was responding to a question related to an article in the RSS mouthpiece 'Organiser' which said that the BJP was not "in a comfortable ground at present" in Delhi, and that the party had inducted Kiran Bedi and projected her as candidate for chief minister after receiving "adverse feedback from field against the Delhi BJP".

Kumar extended best wishes to Kejriwal for the February 7 Delhi polls. Kumar was planning to canvass for AAP in Delhi poll, but cancelled the idea later as Samajwadi Party and RJD, involved with JD(U) in merger of Janata Parivar, have also fielded candidates in the Delhi polls.

Besides, RJD President Lalu Prasad has supported Congress, which is supporting Jitan Ram Manjhi ministry in Bihar and had expressed dismay over a report of JD(U) campaigning for AAP against it (Congress).

Later, Kumar, in his address at a training programme of JD(U) youth wing at his residence, criticised BJP's Sadhvi Prachi and others for asking Hindus to have four children, and advised them to first marry before making such assertions.

"Pahle saddi kare phir baat kare 4 bacha karna hai ki 10 karna hai (first marry, then talk about giving birth to four children or 10 children)," Kumar said. TV show 'Kaun Banega Crorepati' winner Sushil Kumar was invited to give speech to JD(U) youth leaders at the training programme.

PTI