Modi has no role in Bihar political crisis: Venkaiah Naidu

Hyderabad, Feb 15 (IANS) The central government or Prime Minister Narendra Modi has no role in the political crisis in Bihar, said union Parliamentary Affairs Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu Sunday.

He told reporters here that the crisis arose due to infighting in Janata Dal-United. "There was already a war going on in Janata parivar. They are divided and not united," he said.

The Bharatiya Janata Party leader alleged that JD-U Nitish Kumar was blaming Modi for his own failures.

"Who asked you (Nitish) to resign from the chief minister's post and who asked you to make Jitan Ram Manjhi the chief minister, and why are you asking him to resign now," he said.

Naidu also denied that the central government has any role in fixing Feb 20 as the day when Manjhi will face the trust vote in the assembly. He said the decision to convene the assembly was taken 12 days ago and the governor decided to hold the exercise on that day.

"If you have the numbers, prove it on the floor of the house. Why this drama of calling MLAs to Delhi (for parading them before president)," asked Naidu.

He also criticized JD-U for first staking claim to form the government and later seeking the status of main opposition party.

Naidu also denied that there is any proposal to invite Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) to join BJP-led NDA government. "These are mere speculations. The BJP and TRS are different parties," he said.

He also hinted at the possibility of introducing amendments to the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act in the ensuing budget session of parliament. He, however, said this would be done only after reaching a broad consensus with the governments of both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.

Naidu said special status to Andhra Pradesh was under the consideration of the central government. Admitting that it is no easy task, the minister said the central government was trying to overcome the hiccups.