Sushil Modi 'Nitish Kumar PM material' remark ruffles Bihar BJP leaders

BIHAR Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi's statement that "Nitish surely a PM material" sparked a row in the state BJP with some leaders calling it "untimely" and others alleging he lacks confidence in his own party.

Modi had told The Indian Express that Nitish Kumar was surely a Prime Minister material and will play an important role in the 2014 general elections. Modi, however, had added that Nitish had categorically said that he was not in the race for the PM's post and the larger party in a coalition would decide the PM nominee.

Reacting to Modi's statement, BJP leader and Health Minister Ashwini Kumar Choubey said: "Where is question of discussing the PM candidate now? Such questions are premature.

Our central high command will take a call when the time comes. Shaadi huyi nahin, dulhe ki baat karte hai." He, however, did not name Modi.

BJP leader and Road Construction Minister Nand Kishore Yadav said: "The party has not decided on the PM candidate and hence, it will not be fair to drop names."

Nokha BJP MLA Rameshwar Chourasia was more forthright in his criticism: "Such statements can hurt the morale of party workers. The statement shows that Modi lacks confidence in his own party."

The Sangh Parivar, BJP sources said, has taken exception to Modi's remarks. "The Sangh's tacit message was that majority opinion mattered in projecting someone as a PM candidate," they said.

Nitish, who reprimanded JD(U) minister Bhim Singh Saturday for asking the NDA to project him as the PM candidate, however, refrained from making statements on his deputy's remarks.

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