The BJP-JD(U) alliance in Bihar seems to be teetering on the edge of collapse with deputy chief minister Sushil Mody deciding to stay away from chief minister Nitish Kumar's Vikas Yatra, as a retaliation to the latter's decision to return Rs 5 crore flood relief cheque to Gujarat government.
The money was returned after local papers carried advertisements of how the BJP helped out with flood relief in Bihar, which Nitish Kumar felt was politicising the matter.
"The money was just lying there, which is now being returned. It's unfortunate but then, it couldn't be utilised, that's a fact. Gujarat would always reach out. We wish that never, never, never, any such contingency or exigency arises in any part of the country but should it so happen any time, Gujarat would always, and BJP in Gujarat would always reach out to those in distress," said Jai Narayan Vyas, spokesperson, Gujarat government.
With elections in Bihar coming up in just a few months, the situation remains critical for the BJP and also for the JD(U) which doesn't want to be seen to be too close to a party with questionable secular credentials.
"Nobody can stop Mr Modi from coming to Bihar, or any other state in India. People are free to go anywhere they please, so why wouldn't Narendra Modi come? He should come, and he will come. We will invite him," said Ashwani Chaubey, Leader, BJP.
