'Atmosphere of conflict being created in society to divide voters', says Bihar CM Nitish

Kumar said that an atmosphere of conflict is being created in the society to divide voters on the lines of caste or religion to fetch votes.

Image: Bihar CM Nitish Kumar/PTI-File

New Delhi: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has once again given a statement that hints at the dwindling amity between JDU and its ally in the state BJP. Addressing a function on the birth anniversary of former PM VP Singh,  Kumar said that an atmosphere of conflict is being created in the society to divide voters on the lines of caste or religion to fetch votes. This statement that comes ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections is speculated to be a veiled attack at the alliance partner BJP. “I have worked under J P (Narayan) and V P Singh. I learnt to work hard from them. I don't care who will vote for me or not. But an atmosphere of conflict is being created in the society to divide voters on caste or religious lines in order to fetch votes," Kumar said. "I don't care for votes but certainly take care of the voters irrespective of whether he/she would vote for me," the CM said Kumar also took exception to the kind of language in use on social media. "A large number of people use social media platform to use such language. How can it be a social media which is so unsocial, as there is no personal interaction at all?" He said some people try to create conflict in the society, but they must remember that it would not take them towards the solution of problems. Hours after the statement, Bihar CM also telephoned former ally Lalu prasad to enquire about his health. The road to 2019 elections does not seem smooth for BJP-JDU alliance in Bihar. Rifts have seemingly started taking place between the two parties. This is not the first occasion when Nitish has launched a covert attack at BJP. From past couple of weeks, Nitish’s statements and actions are hinting at the growing distance between the two allies. He distanced himself from International Yoga Day celebration in Bihar. Earlier on one occasion he had given a statement from which similar deductions were made. He had said that he doesn’t compromise crime, corruption and communalism in his governance. He also said that instead of focusing on alliance, the focus should be on work . In his words it was: “alliance chhoriye..kaam ki baat kariye”