JD-U distances itself from BJP manifesto

Bihar Chief Minister and senior Janata Dal – United leader Nitish Kumar on Friday distanced himself from the manifesto released by the Bharatiya Janata Party. He told reporters that the manifesto expressed the BJP's ideals, not those of the National Democratic Alliance, which comprises the JD-U.

"It is the BJP's manifesto, not that of the NDA," said Kumar, clarifying that he differed with the BJP over various issues including the construction of the Ram temple, the abrogation of Article 370 and imposition of the Common Civil Code.

Kumar added that the NDA would have its own agenda and programme. Every party is free to set its own agenda, he said.

"The contentious issues like construction of Ram temple at Ayodhya to scrapping of Article 370 and common civil code would not figure on the NDA's agenda," Kumar clarified.

Kumar pointed out that if the BJP gets an absolute majority, it is free to carry forward its own agenda. "But I don't think any single party will get a majority after the Lok Sabha polls," he said.