Ending Row, Speculation Sharad Yadav Signals All is Well

Seeking to put an end to the controversy triggered by publication of advertisements showing Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar with his Gujarat counterpart Narendra Modi, JD(U) President Sharad Yadav Sunday said the partners should put the ‘unpleasant’ incident behind them.

“Our alliance and relationship is quite old…An unpleasant incident took place yesterday. It has passed…,” Yadav was quoted as saying by PTI.

He, however, said that it was customary to take permission from the Prime Minister or the Chief Minister before including their names or photographs in advertisements.

“The way the posters came up was not proper as the party (JD-U) was not consulted. The party had raised objections to that,” Yadav said.

He said an inquiry had been instituted to clear the situation.

He said the party has no reason to disbelieve the version of BJP which says the advertisement was released by an agency.

Taking offence at the publication of the advertisement, the chief minister Saturday cancelled a banquet he was to host for top BJP leaders, currently in Patna to attend the party’s national executive.

The controversy touched off speculations with media houses suggesting that all was not well in Bihar’s ruling JD(U)-BJP alliance.

Joining in the all is well chorus top BJP leader addressing the party’s Swabhiman Rally in Patna said: “There can be differences in an alliance. I read in the newspapers that due to an advertisement, there were cracks. But by shaking hands, how can there be cracks. It can only lead to friendship and small problems do occur.”

Recalling the relationship Kumar has shared with the party as part of the Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led NDA government, Advani said he would have been happy if Kumar had attended the rally and addressed it alongside top BJP leaders.

(Based on internet reports)