JD-U leader dares BJP to withdraw support from Bihar govt

A Janata Dal (United) leader in Bihar on Friday has dared the Bharatiya Janata Party to withdraw its support from Nitish Kumar led government in the state if it is not comfortable with the party stand on its secular agenda.

"BJP can withdraw support if it is feeling suffocated with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's remarks on a prime ministerial candidate of secular image. JD-U stand is not to compromise on its secular agenda," JD-U MLC and party spokesperson Sanjay Singh said.

The JD-U leader Sanjay Singh has made it clear that there is no compulsion of BJP support to run the government in Bihar.

Sanjay Singh also reacted strongly to BJP leader and State Animal Husbandry Minister Giriraj Singh criticism of Nitish Kumar. "Giriraj Singh should resign before criticising the chief minister's secular credentials," he said.

He cautioned the BJP to stop Giriraj Singh to speak too much against chief minister. "Giriraj Singh should control his tongue or resign

from the cabinet," Sanjay Singh said.

"We will not tolerate Giriraj Singh's threat to chief minister," Sanjay Singh warned.

Giriraj Singh reiterated on Friday that he will continue to support Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, who is a secular leader.

Giriraj Singh, a known supporter of Modi's Hinduvta line, said that BJP leaders hardly need any certificate from others on secularism. Singh on Tuesday dubbed Nitish Kumar as 'pseudo secular'.

Singh said that it is an abuse and insult to people of Gujarat by calling Narendra Modi a communal leader. "People of Gujarat have elected him chief minister twice," he said.

Three days ago Nitish Kumar reportedly targeted Modi, saying that the NDA should announce a secular prime ministerial candidate for 2014 Lok Sabha elections, Griraj Singh said that he stands by his statement that he supports Modi.

Singh is the same minister, who recently described slain Ranvir Sena chief Brahmeshwar Singh Mukhiya a Gandhian.