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Senior JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar today accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi for conspiring to "wipe him out". He also criticized Governor Keshri Nath Tripathi for giving the 14-days-window to Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi to seek confidence vote.
Rueing he had only got seven days to prove his majority in 2000, Kumar said "Both situations are not comparable".
In 2000, after the Assembly elections Nitish Kumar was invited to form government in the state and was asked to prove his majority on the floor of the House within seven days. He failed to muster the numbers and quit before the trust vote could be taken up.
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"The writing is clearly on the wall that 130 MLAs of JD(U), RJD, Congress, one CPI and an Independent are with us. In such a condition, giving 14-day time to Manjhi by the Governor for floor test cannot be justified from any angle," Kumar, who was elected as the new JD (U) Legislature Party leader said.
He also accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of being behind the "script" to wipe him out. Kumar said "Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi was convinced during our meeting on February 9 that opportunity should be given to Manjhi to prove majority on the floor of the Assembly well ahead of February 20. But, everything changed after Manjhi met the PM."
JD (U) was not against an opportunity to Manjhi to prove his majority in accordance with the Supreme Court ruling in the S R Bommai case, the former chief minister said adding, "But giving such a long time of 14 days cannot be justified." Kumar rubbished the plea for secret ballot saying it was against the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution, which deals with anti-defection law.
"How can a popular government run on the basis of secret ballot?" he asked stressing those who violate the party whip would be expelled.
