Nitish goes on the offensive, ridicules Gujarat model, unmasks Congress

GAYA: Showing definite signs of greater aggression, chief minister Nitish Kumar currently engaged in a grim triangular fight in the state went on an extra offensive and attacked both the BJP and Congress-RJD combine with an almost equal vengeance. The CM hit at both Modi and Sonia at an election meet at the Gaya Railway Maidan on Friday afternoon.

Whereas Nitish ridiculed the Gujarat model of development, he put several uncomfortable questions before Sonia Gandhi; the more politically harmful questions pertained to the opening of the Babari Masjid lock, Shilanyas permission, Bhagalpur riots and raw deal to the riot victims.

The CM also took on his Gujarat counterpart on the issue of animal slaughter. Describing vegetarianism and non vegetarianism as food habits having little to do with religious identity, Nitish Kumar told an appreciative audience that though he (Nitish) was a vegetarian by birth, the maximum number of non vegetarian leaders were in the BJP and on account of paucity of time, he was not in a position to present the long list of non vegetarian leaders of the saffron party.

Nitish, while referring to the Nawada speech of BJP prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi, revealed that it was the Nawada BJP candidate, who, in his capacity as the Animal Husbandry Minister in the Bihar govt facilitated the establishment of a modern slaughter house in Araria.

Referring to the Gujarat model of development, the CM quoted reports that said that 8.4 lakh candidates applied for a Rs 5300 per month job against a total vacancy of 1500 lower level revenue officials. He need not say anything as the figures tell the real story, said Nitish.

Addressing his detractors among the contract teachers of the state, the CM asked them to find out how much salary was being paid to their counterparts in Gujarat. Calling the BJP prime inisterial candidate a dream merchant promising the moon to the electorate, the CM said that the bluff has now been called and the people know everything. Nitish also welcomed LJP leader Masihudin in the JD(U) family.

Hitting back Sonia Gandhi for her Sasaram speech in which the Congress chief questioned Nitish's secular credentials, Nitish, while addressing a predominantly Muslim crowd said that he did not need the secular certificate from Sonia Gandhi. For him, secularism was a matter of faith while for Congress it was an election stunt, said the Bihar CM.

Listing his own achievements on the minority front, Nitish said that besides fencing of the graveyards, sixth pay scheme for the Madrasa teachers, he, first gave pension to riot victims and subsequently doubled the pension amount.

Making an emotional appeal to the minority voters, the CM said that he would prefer 'total perish' (khak me milna pasand karenge) over a second handshake with BJP.