Nitish Kumar calls Ramvilas Paswan expert in political somersault

Khagaria, Bihar: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Friday took potshots at LJP President Ramvilas Paswan for making pre-poll alliance with the BJP and said he was an expert in making political somersault.

"He (Paswan) not only in India but also in Pakistan never used to forget to mention that he had quit NDA over 2002 Godhra riots. But, he has now joined the BJP and is singing paeans to Narendra Modi the man behind the 2002 massacre," Kumar said at an election rally at Parbatta here.

"Kisi ne eisa palti maar neta kabhi dekha nahi (nobody has seen such an expert leader in doing such sharp somersault)," he said taking a jibe at LJP chief who hails from Khagaria.

Making fun of RJD chief Lalu Prasad, the chief minister said "he has been saying in his every election meeting that Nitish is no factor in the present Lok Sabha elections. If this is so where is the need for him to take my name everywhere?"

Accompanied by rebel RJD MLA Samrat Chaudhary, Kumar said that Chaudhary had made a valid point before Election Commission as to how Lalu Prasad facing conviction in a fodder scam case was heading a political party.

Kumar regretted that opponents were running away from "mudda" (issues) during campaigning and seeking votes in the name of caste, creed, community and emotional issues.