JD(U) meet hears call for snapping ties with BJP

New Delhi, May 30: A meeting of JD(U), called here to discuss the poll performance of NDA, today heard demands for snapping of ties with BJP with several leaders attacking the alliance partner for raking up its pet issues like Hindutva in the Lok Sabha elections.
BJP leader Varun Gandhi's alleged hate speech was the particular target of attack on the first day of the two-day National Executive after which JD(U) publicly said there were some "irritants" in relations with the NDA's lead party.

JD(U) and BJP are partners in Bihar's coalition government.

The meeting deliberated on "certain issues raised by BJP just before the elections" and felt they had damaged NDA's prospects, JD(U) spokesman Shivanand Tewari told reporters.

"Just before the election, BJP raised certain issues which were not required... BJP must also contemplate what were the issues that damaged them as it was the bigger partner in NDA and the alliance's Prime Ministerial candidate was also from BJP. For them, it must be more shocking," he said.

He did not specify the issues that JD(U) feels had hurt NDA but party sources said the issue of Varun's alleged hate speech in Pilibhit was raised in the meeting.

Tewari accused BJP of non-cooperation with JD(U) in Bihar and Jharkhand.

"BJP did not give any cooperation to us in Jharkhand. The BJP state unit supported those candidates who were fighting against us at two places. Even in Bihar, we did not get the expected support from the the party," he said.

JD(U) sources said some sections of the party even demanded snapping of ties with BJP. PTI