Nitish to PM: Clear air on conversions

PATNA: Senior JD (U) leader Nitish Kumar on Friday “blamed” the BJP for stalemate in Parliament and suggested to Prime Minister Narendra Modi that his words on controversial issues threatening secular fabric of the country would rather enhance his stature.
“Agar do shabd bolenge to apki garima badhegi hi (if you speak two words it would rather enhance your stature),” Kumar said in his piece of advise to the PM.
He urged the PM not to make it a “prestige issue” and his disapproval of several “irresponsible and poisonous” utterances by partymen on religious conversion and praising Nathuram Godse, would help clear the air.
On Rajya Sabha failing to discharge its function for the fifth consecutive day on Friday, Kumar justified the opposition conduct and criticized the treasury benches for not taking initiative to end the stalemate.
“Opposition is justified in exercising its right in demanding statement from PM on the issue to keep secularism protected in the country,” Kumar, whose party JD (U) is part of opposition unity on the matter in the Rajya Sabha, told reporters while emerging from the legislative council.
“The onus is on the ruling party to ensure Parliament functions smoothly. They need to take initiative for this, which is lacking in the present case,” Kumar said.
Launching a scathing attack on BJP, Kumar said raising of the issue of religious conversion was part of their “well-thought strategy” to divert people’s attention from “failure” to deliver on promises made on the issue of black money, enhanced bonus to farmers and creating jobs for youths.
“Seven months have passed since this government came to power, but it has nothing to show as achievements on promises it had made during poll to the people ... logo ka moh bhang ho raha hai (people are getting disillusioned),” he said, adding controversial issues of religious conversion and eulogizing Nathuram Godse are parts of “diversionary strategy”.
Kumar said to highlight the government's “failure” on black money, bonus for farmers, special status to Bihar and creating jobs for youths among others, six parties of erstwhile Janata Parivar would hold a “mahadharna” at Delhi on December 22.
On efforts for merger of Janata Parivar, Kumar, who is an important leader behind the process, said talks were going on.