PM Narendra Modi and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar shared the same dais on Thursday at the function to celebrate Prakash Parv, the 350th birth anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh.
Surprisingly, the Prime Minister spent the first three minutes his speech praising the CM for the implementation of prohibition policies in Bihar, calling it “inspirational.”
Although Nitish’s party JD-U criticised the overnight note ban, Nitish has been in favour and Modi congratulated him for the support.
“Social change is very tough thing to forge, yet he has shown remarkable ability in implementing prohibition… if this policy is successful in Bihar, the whole country will be inspired,” said PM Modi.
Speaking in rhetoric, Nitish bitterly defeated BJP in the assembly elections held towards the end of 2015 in alliance with Kumar and Lalu Yadav. And this is the first time they are seen sharing a stage, post Nitish’s victory. In 2013, Kumar called off a 18-year-alliance with the BJP over its decision to pick PM Modi as its Prime Ministerial candidate. This however had a huge impact on the results – his party won just 2 of 40 seats in the national election in Bihar, while the BJP took 22.
Not only the PM but Nitish Kumar himself appreciated Modi for successfully implementing the liquor ban in Gujarat for 12 years in his tenure.
Earlier on Thursday PM Modi expressed through his Twitter handle, “Guru Gobind Singh ji’s entire life was devoted to serving the people and fighting for values of truth, justice and compassion. Guru Gobind Singh Ji was blessed with indomitable courage and tremendous knowledge and his bravery is etched in the heart and mind of every Indian.”
Mr Kumar and PM Modi’s public admiration of each other have raised a lot of eye-brows. Supporters are now looking anxiously forward to figure if the political situations brighten or worsen with this new live-streamed public coalition.
