Nitish ducks ‘Modi for PM’ query

The BJP has not announced its prime ministerial candidate for the 2014 Lok Sabha election or the JD(U),being a key NDA partner,would have been informed,Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said Monday,refusing to be drawn in the debate over the possibility of the BJP choosing Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi as its candidate for the top job.

“It will be improper for the JD(U) to react to any report…. the JD(U) is an NDA ally and will be informed the moment such a decision is taken by the senior partner,” Nitish said on the sidelines of his weekly ‘Janata Darbar’. “The JD(U) will react or make any comment only when a formal decision for projection of the prime ministerial candidate is taken by the BJP… No official formal decision has been taken by the BJP on the issue.”

On Modi’s fast,he said every individual,political leader or chief minister had the freedom to organise a personal or public programme of his choice in a state.

Pressed for a comment on the possibility of Modi as the PM candidate,Nitish said,“It doesn’t require unnecessary comment.” He added that the JD(U) had an alliance with the BJP in Bihar,“but there is no alliance with the BJP in the state you mentioned (Gujarat).”