Nitish Kumar firm in opposing Narendra Modi campaigning in Bihar polls

Favouring continuation of "old arrangement", Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar today remained firm in his opposition to Gujarat counterpart Narendra Modi campaigning in upcoming Assembly polls and put the ball in BJP's court to resolve this issue.

"Whatever our stand is it is well known. We are in favour of the old arrangement. We have made it clear that the arrangement that was there last time will continue this time too," Kumar told reporters in New Delhi and Patna when asked about opposition by his party JD(U) to Modi canvassing for the ruling alliance.

Modi was kept away from campaigning for the JD(U)-BJP combine in Bihar during last year's Lok Sabha elections under the previous arrangement. 

Nitish however left it to the BJP to resolve the issue saying it was their "internal arrangement." 

"We are looking at the elections and this is definite that it has to be solved by the BJP. 

It is BJP's internal arrangement. Let them solve it on their own and I feel that they will solve it in an appropriate manner," Nitish said.

The BJP on its part virtually said the JD(U) cannot dictate terms.

The saffron party said its executive body would decide as to who would campaign during the assembly polls. 

"Party Karyasamiti yeh tay karegi ki kaun kaun neta  pyogi honge (party executive body will decide who will campaign in Bihar)", BJP national spokesman Syed Shahnawaz Hussain, MP, told reporters in Patna.

He, however, evaded a direct reply to a volley of questions on Modi campaigning in Bihar saying, "I have already clarified the position."

"Role of every worker from grassroots to Centre will be important in the crucial campaign for seeking a second term for NDA in Bihar", Hussain said.

"Top leaders of the party in consultation with the state leaders are involved in the strategy for ensuring the victory of the alliance", he said, adding it was not a matter who should or who should not campaign " but whosoever will be deemed fit and appropriate for the purpose their services will be roped in."

He said the state election body of BJP would be meeting day after tomorrow for chalking out the election-related strategy.