'BJP wants its CM in Bihar': Owaisi links PM's silence on LJP to 'retire Nitish' gameplan

Weighing in on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's silence on LJP, AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi on Friday alleged that BJP wanted to "retire" CM Nitish Kumar. Earlier in day, PM Modi addressed massive rallies for Bihar Assembly election in Sasaram, Gaya and Bhagalpur. While he paid tribute to LJP founder Ram Vilas Paswan, BJP's star campaigner did t respond to LJP's diatribe against Nitish Kumar.

Mentioning that BJP had released an individual manifesto pledging 19 lakh jobs, Owaisi contended that this was a clear indication of BJP wanting its own CM in Bihar. Earlier on Thursday, AIMIM supremo had panned  Mahagatbandhan's alleged lack of conviction to take on ruling BJP. AIMIM is contesting 18 seats in Bihar polls as a part of 'Grand Democratic Secular Front' also comprising Mayawati's BSP, Upendra Kushwaha-led RLSP, SJD(D) and Om Prakash Rajbhar-led SBSP.

LJP's contrasting stance

Bihar Assembly election will be held in 3 phases- October 28, vember 3 and vember 7 with counting of votes scheduled for vember 10. An NDA ally since 2014, LJP decided to contest polls separately owing to ideological differences with JD(U). Asserting that joining Mahagatbandhan would have been an easier choice, Chirag Paswan said that LJP wanted to bring back Bihar's lost pride. Lamenting that Bihar CM Nitish Kumar hadn't lived up to his party's expectations, Paswan questioned  JD(U) president's idea of development.

What set rumour mills abuzz is his repeated assertion of LJP and BJP forming next government in Bihar. Reiterating his affection for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, LJP president said that he was  PM's Hanuman. ting that Nitish Kumar was continuously trying to wedge a divide between him and PM, Paswan opined on October 18 that he did t want latter to face any moral dilemma. reafter, he appealed to PM Modi to speak against him without any hesitation to follow NDA coalition dharma. LJP chief also hinted at possibility of JD(U) joining hands with RJD after declaration of results.