)
In a major embarrassment for the Janata Dal (United), party leader Shivanand Tiwari on Tuesday praised Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, saying the latter has worked hard to reach where he has today.
"I am an admirer of Modi. Coming from a poor background, he has worked hard to reach where he has today," he said.
ALSO READ: Arvind Panagariya: Narendra Modi's real report card
Tiwari lauded Modi at the Janata Dal (United convention here, which was attended by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and party chief Sharad Yadav among others.
The JD(U) and BJP were partners in the Bihar Government till June this year when the former broke the 17-year alliance over the latter's decision to give Modi a starring role in the party's election campaign.
