Prime minister’s first-year work slate blank, says Nitish

PATNA: Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar on Monday slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi, claiming he had taken the country for a ride and scored not even a zero in his first year in office.

“How can he be rated for his first year? There is no answer sheet,” Nitish said, trying to buttress his claim that PM Modi had done nothing substantial or noticeable in his first year in office.

The Bihar CM, whose rivalry with PM Modi had led to the JD(U)’s exit from the NDA in June 2013, said he was stunned by the sharp plunge in Modi’s popularity in just one year.

“After four decades in public life, I have not seen somebody’s popularity wane so fast,” he said.

The chief minister summed up Modi’s one year tenure as a ‘waste of time’. He even took potshots at the prime minister’s frequent visits to foreign countries. NITISH KUMAR, Bihar chief minister “For a change, the PM is now on his India visit,” he said.

He also accused Modi of not fulfilling his election promises. “What happened to the promise of depositing 15 lakh in each Indian’s account or taming inflation? For farmers, he has not provided any succour and is instead trying to snatch their land by pressing ahead with his flawed land acquisition bill,” Nitish said.

All the BJP was doing was to carry out online registration of members and trying to lure JD(U) leaders.

“About 10 JD(U) leaders have got calls from the BJP”, he chuckled.

Nitish obliquely attack Modi for allegedly scuttling his plan to visit Janakpur in Nepal post the high intensity quake in the neighbouring country.

“The foreign minister had given his clearance for my visit but the foreign secretary later called up the Bihar chief secretary to suggest that the visit be postponed. “I did not drag the issue as I am a disciplined citizen,” he said, in a sarcastic tone.

Nitish reiterated he wanted to visit Janakpur only to have a look at the ancient temple.