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Patna: PM Narendra Modi and Bihar CM Nitish Kumar on January 5, 2071, praised each other at Patna Gandhi Maidan. Modi was full of praise for Nitish for his “herculean” task of enforcing complete prohibition and Nitish complimented Modi for enforcing the same in Gujarat when Modi was chief minister for 12 years. The PM’s compliments to Nitish on total prohibition was much to the discomfort of Bihar BJP leaders who have questioned the Bihar Excise and Prohibition Act and its legislators had boycotted the state legislature session when Bill on total prohibition was being debated.
While PM and CM praised each other, RJD president Lalu Prasad was literally ignored by the leaders as there was no reference to the former CM by the speakers. The PM said Nitish worked round the clock to make the Guru Parva a grand success, the RJD chief while talking to mediapersons gave credit to the Grand Alliance government for it. RJD and Congress are partners in the GA. Sweet words by PM to Nitish confirmed speculations of softness between the BJP and JD(U). Nitish had earlier supported demonetisation announced by PM on November 8, 2017.
Sporting saffron turban PM Narendra Modi on Thursday performed ardas (prayer) before the holy Guru Granth at makeshift Dashmesh Nagar’s Darbar Hall. Modi bowed before the holy book twice and inserted currency notes in the Hundi (donation box) at the hall.
Modi was all praise for Bihar CM Nirish Kumar for enforcing prohibition and said Nitish has done a commendable job. He wished all success to Nitish in implementation of total prohibition and appealed all political parties to support Nitish Kumar’s mission of total prohibition. He said total prohibition would lead to social transformation. The PM also hoped Bihar model of total prohibition would help other states to follow liquor ban. “There is blessings of Guru Govind Singh to Nitishji,” the PM said. Bihar will become an unique state with success of prohibition, he
said. However,he did not respond to Nitish Kumar’s demand for nationwide ban on liquor.
Modi lavishly praised CM Nitish Kumar for the “excellent” arrangements made for the visiting pilgrims and said
Nitish used to visit the venue of festival almost daily and got into minute details of the events and arrangements. “Nitish laboured hard to ensure success of the event,”PM said. Narendra Modi also complimented Nitish profusely for his decision to celebrate the 100th year of Mahatma Gandhi’s Champaran Satyagrah and said Nitish Kumar’s decision was an important decision to honour Bapu.
The Prime Minister, who was seated between Nitish Kumar and Punjab CM Prakash Singh Badal, appeared in jovial mood and was seen engaged in talks with Nitish. He was presented a portrait of Guru Govind Singh as memento by
Nitish Kumar. PM had lunch with Nitish at the Maidan.
Narendra Modi said Guru Govind Singh sacrificed his life and his four children to protect the religion and society. Panj Pyares were the epitome of sacrifice, he said. The PM said the government of India had contributed Rs 140 crore for the Guru Parva celebrations including special trains from different places in Punjab. The Government of India has made arrangements for the Guru Parva celebrations in all embassies and high commissionerates in the world.
Modi was received at airport by Governor Ramnath Kovind, BJP leaders of Bihar and cabinet colleagues of Nitish. Punjab CM Prakash Singh Badal with his family members-Sukhbir Singh Badal and Simranjit Singh Badal were also present.