Lalu, Nitish charting diff course in UP poll: Sushil Kumar Modi

Patna, July 29: BJP today gloated over RJD and JD(U), two major constituents of grand secular alliance government in Bihar, charting different courses in Uttar Pradesh poll and said it would have "effect" on the ruling coalition here.

"It would have effect on the ruling coalition in Bihar," BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi, reacting on RJD president Lalu Prasad's announcement that his party would not contest UP polls, told reporters.

While Prasad has announced that his party would not field any candidate and indicated helping his 'samdhi' and Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav, Kumar has been making frequent tours of UP signalling his intent to play a significant role in upcoming polls in the neighbouring state.

"Even as Lalu Prasad is strongly siding with SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav, many of the assertions of Nitish Kumar have been against SP chief which indicates sharp difference between 'Bade bhai' (Lalu) and 'Chhote bhai' (Nitish)," said Sushil, the Leader of Opposition in state Legislative Council.

"Their clashing interests in UP would definitely have an effect on the grand secular alliance in Bihar," he said and claimed that Prasad and Kumar have "conflicting interests".

PTI