Senior Bihar BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi on Tuesday hit back at Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for targetting Lal Krishna Advani, and said the party stalwart is like the 'Ashoka iron pillar' that never rusts.
"Advaniji is like the Ashoka iron pillar, made of iron, that never rusts," he said.
The former Bihar Deputy Chief Minister also took potshots at the ruling Janata Dal (United) Government in the state.
"The atmosphere in Bihar is bothering the JD (U). So, they are giving such stupid statements," he said.
The Bihar Chief Minister had yesterday alleged that Advani who was known as the 'Loh Purush' (Iron Man) has now been left to rust.
"Advaniji was known as the 'Loh Purush' of BJP. But now it's clear that he has been left to rust," Kumar told media in Patna, while taunting the BJP for sidelining Advani and nominating Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi as its prime ministerial candidate.
Kumar had earlier on Saturday disapproved Modi's anointment as the BJP's Prime Ministerial candidate, saying the nation will never accept such divisive elements.
"Whatever we said earlier has now come as the true. We knew this will happen. And since it was not acceptable to us, we pulled out of the NDA alliance," Nitish told media in Patna.
"Let them rejoice, but the people of the country will never accept such divisive elements. Their view is not to unite and strengthen the country, but to weaken the country," he added.
Advani, who was believed to be upset over the party's decision to anoint Modi as its prime ministerial candidate, however, yesterday broke his silence and appreciated Modi's Gujarat development model at a rally in Chhattisgarh.
"Responsibility given to him (Modi) by party, if it comes true, then development done in BJP ruled states will happen across nation," he said.
The Janata Dal (United) ended its 17-year-long association with the BJP earlier in June this year citing differences over Modi's elevation as the poll panel chief for the 2014 Lok Sabha polls.
