As a section within the BJP saw Narendra Modi’s induction in the party’s top Parliamentary Board as a step towards his becoming the prime ministerial candidate, its key ally the JD(U) on Sunday reiterated its stand that the top post’s occupant “should have secular credentials”.
Asked whether Mr. Modi’s inclusion is an indicator of his projection as PM candidate, JD(U) Bihar unit spokesman Niraj Kumar said, “JD(U) leadership’s stand in this regard has been known to one and all. We believe that a prime ministerial candidate should have secular credentials to take along diverse group of people of the country.”
Mr. Kumar, however, went on to say that Mr. Modi’s induction is an “internal matter” of BJP.
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“It (induction of Modi) is an internal matter of the BJP at the national level,” he said in Patna.
In Delhi, JD(U) chief Sharad Yadav said he has no problem with the new team. “I have no problem with it.”
On whether he foresaw any hitches in the future, he said, “Who knows what will happen tomorrow.”
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Mr. Kumar said that the ‘Bihar Model’ of development was the only guiding mantra on which the country could move forward by representing the aspirations of all sections of society.