Hindustan Times (Lucknow)

Modi will be back in 2019: Nitish

- Arun Kumar arunkr@hindustant­imes.com ▪

PATNA: Chief minister Nitish Kumar on Monday said he did not see any threat to Prime Minister Narendra Modi getting back to power in 2019 as the NDA would easily get the majority.

“I say what I see. The victory in three states should not make the Opposition euphoric, as BJP has got a higher vote share. In MP, BJP’s vote share is high, while in Rajasthan, it is .4% less. I don’t think Vidhan Sbaha polls outcome will have any impact on national polls,” he said, adding the Rafale fighter aircraft deal with France was no issue anymore after the debate in the Lok Sabha and Supreme Court verdict. He was talking to media persons at the Lok Samvad (public interactio­n) programme, which was organised at his official residence after a long time.

Making light of the grand alliance (GA) in Bihar, he said it appeared to be a group of parties and leaders lacking confidence. “Anybody on the road is being roped to claim growing ambit of GA. It has no future. The fact is what work will speak and takes precedence over all kinds of caste equations in Bihar. We are working in Bihar’s interest and developmen­t with justice is what will attract people,” he added.

DIG AT RAHUL

In an oblique reference to Congress president Rahul Gandhi, he said it was anyone to see that those who once tore the ordinance in public view were now joining hands. “We don’t use unparliame­ntary words, but these days that is what gets prominence in media. Those who fan tension or use harsh words get more publicity. Media is more interested in what one speaks or tweets, not in what one does.”

On allegation­s of CBI targeting former UP CM Akhikesh Yadav through investigat­ion into illegal mining during his tenure, Kumar said it was wrong to think that anybody could frame anyone.

 ?? \ ?? ▪ Nitish Kumar
\ ▪ Nitish Kumar

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