Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Saturday quashed speculation that his support for the Centre’s demonetisation drive was indicative of a possible alliance between his Janata Dal (United) and the Bharatiya Janata Party, IANS reported. Kumar also criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for “believing less in working and more in campaigning”.
Speaking at an event in New Delhi, Kumar said, “I support demonetisation because I believe it is a good step. A political meaning should not be drawn from it.” He dismissed rumours over his “ghar wapsi” or return to the 17-year alliance with the BJP that ended in 2014. He also reasserted that his party’s alliance with regional leader Lalu Prasad Yadav would last the full five-year term.
Kumar said, “Just scrapping old notes will not bring back black money. We have to strike benami property and assets...If it’s really a surgical strike on black money like the BJP has called it, then they have to go even ahead.”’ While most of the Opposition leaders have denounced the Centre’s demonetisation initiative, Kumar had expressed his support for the programme, which he said was a “courageous move”. He, however, maintained, that its poor execution had inconvenienced the common man.
Kumar had also alleged that his support for the programme triggered attempts to “politically assassinate him”.
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