PATNA:Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Monday took his attack against Prime Minister Narendra Modi forward by announcing a ‘Shabd Wapsi’ campaign, asking the latter to take back his DNA remark.
“Considering the Prime Minister’s remark on (my) defective DNA, which was taken as an insult by the people of the state, we have decided to launch ‘take back your words’ campaign from August 11,” Nitish said.
“In this Shabd Wapsi campaign, at least 50 lakh people of Bihar will join a signature campaign and send their samples to Modiji for a DNA test,” Nitish tweeted.
“In spite of our repeated pleas, Modiji has not retracted his derogatory remark on our DNA. So we are going to launch this campaign,” Nitish said.
The Chief Minister said the JD(U) has decided to organise four to five Swabhimaan (self-respect) rallies in different parts of the state to put pressure on Modi to take back his DNA remark.
“The first phase of the campaign will end with a rally in Patna on August 29,” he added.
While hitting out at Nitish in Muzaffarpur rally on July 25, Modi had said, “He (Nitish) not only disrespected me, but also disrespected a Mahadalit like Jitan Ram Manjhi... There seems to be some problem in his DNA because the DNA of democracy is not like that. In democracy, you give respect even to your political rivals.”
Reacting to Nitish’s new move, senior BJP leader Sushil Modi accused him of trying to divert poll campaign from real development issues.
“From where would he arrange Rs 3,000 crore for getting DNA test of lakhs of people,” he asked.
Sushil said Modi had spoken about Nitish’s “political DNA” in view of his history of betraying political associates such as Lalu Prasad, Manjhi and the BJP.
Nitish has also tied the BIMARU reference in the Prime Minister’s Gaya speech on Sunday with the self-respect of Bihar and its people.