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Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Wednesday launched a scathing attack on his Gujarat counterpart Narendra Modi, saying the nation is against divisive politics.
Kumar, while leaving no stone unturned in targeting Modi and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), said the country's leader should be someone who can take everyone along.
"What development model are they talking about? Do already developed cities need development or do under developed areas need a development plan? A leader should think about everyone," Kumar said, while asserting that he believes in inclusive development.
"What development model? In Gujarat, a developed state, the minimum wage is Rs 100 per day; in Bihar, which is a poor state, it is Rs 162. They kept saying clear your stand, and when we did, they said we have betrayed them," he added.
In an indirect attack on Modi, Kumar said that just because someone is from an extremely backward caste doesn't mean that he is a leader of people class.
"The BJP now talks of an OBC leader, but just because you talk of being one it doesn't mean he is a leader of people class. They have started caste politics again, the same thing that the RJD would do," said Kumar.
"Idea of India is inclusive not divisive. To form a government you need 272 MPs. It is an era of coalition politics, have no illusions," he added.
Kumar also lashed out at the BJP for circulating his 2003 speech where he had praised Modi.
"If I go as Railways Minister to a function to someone's state, shall I criticise the person? Even in that speech I said there is big blot on Gujarat," he told the Bihar assembly ahead of the trust vote.
The BJP MLAs earlier walked out of the Bihar Assembly, and accused Nitish Kumar of betraying the mandate of NDA.
"We know you have mustered majority in the House to ensure passage of trust vote...therefore we are walking out," BJP legislature party leader Nandkishore Yadav announced in the House.
Going by numbers, there is no threat to the Nitish Kumar Government as it has the required strength.
The Congress, which has four members, has decided to abstain during the confidence vote.
