Nitish lotus painting row: BJP claims their ideology is 'transcending to other parties'

With Nitish Kumar painting a lotus- party symbol of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) - at an event and sparking speculations, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday took the development in its stride and welcomed the gesture shown by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, asserting that the saffron party's ideology has transcended to other parties as well.

"Obviously Nitish Kumar Ji has seen the writing on the wall and we welcome the gesture that he has painted the lotus colour, because our party always talks about nation first, party next and individual. And that ideology has also transcended to other political parties as well," BJP spokesperson Shaina NC told ANI.

Earlier, senior BJP leader Giriraj Singh had said that Nitish was painting his "political ambitions" and wants to show RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav that he is independent.

"Wo (Nitish) apni rajnetik rang bhar rahe thay, Laluji ko baar baar wo zaroor dikhaate rehte hain ki main swatantra hun." (He has to show to show his political colour frequently. He keeps showing Lalu that he is completely independent.)," senior BJP leader Giriraj Singh told ANI here.

However, the RJD was quick in responding and asserted that the lotus flower was not an exclusive entity of the BJP's

"Does the Lotus belong solely to the BJP? In that case the lantern (RJD symbol) hangs in so many houses across the nation. What should be inferred from that? All I can say is that if someone is getting happy with such a small thing, then so be it. Let them have their fun," Bihar Deputy Chief Minister and Lalu's son Tejaswi Yadav told the media here.

At the Patna Book Fair on Saturday, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar was seen adding saffron colour to a lotus drawn by an artist.

It immediately sparked speculations of being proof to the growing friendship between Nitish and Prime Minister Narendra Modi and putting alliance partner RJD in check.

Eyebrows had risen earlier when all Opposition parties, including the JD(U)'s alliance partners Congress and RJD, lashed out against demonetisation, but Nitish chose to praise the Prime Minister and support the move.

Nitish said the move to withdraw high-value currencies would help in curbing corruption and flush out black money.

Following Nitish's endorsement, Prime Minister Modi praised the Bihar Chief Minister for imposing prohibition in the state and the arrangements put in place for celebrating the 350th birth anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh.