PM Modi's support base dwindling fast: Nitish Kumar

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Saturday claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's support base is "dwindling fast due to non-fulfillment" of any of the major poll promises.

"Former BBC journalist Lance Price, who had written 'Modi Effect' in 2014, is now forced to write 'Modi Defect' within two years," Kumar said in the Bihar Assembly on the Motion of Thanks on Governor's address. Price, who had earlier worked as spin doctor of former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, had written a book 'Modi Effect' in 2014. But in the Open magazine, he recently wrote an article 'Modi Defect' to highlight the disappointment of people who overwhelmingly voted for him in the 2014 General elections, Kumar said.

"The PM's support base is dwindling fast among people within two years of coming to power due to non-fulfillment of major poll promises in 2014," he said. BJP and its NDA allies were not present in the House when Kumar attacked PM as they boycotted the sitting on Saturday, usually a holiday. They had said the sitting has been advanced so that the CM can listen to the Union Budget presentation on Monday.

Kumar said he had stated in the past about Modi that "its easier to win an election but very difficult to run the country." "This is coming true now. None of the major promises made before the General election has come true so far," he said, mentioning the promise made by Modi over returning black money from foreign banks during Lok Sabha poll campaign.

The senior JD(U) leader also said the rail budget has "disappointed" people. "People in Bihar are waiting to see the special package of Rs 1.25 lakh crore along with Rs 40,000 crore left out from earlier packages announced by the PM," he said.

Accusing the BJP of pursuing "divisive politics" by launching campaign like "Love Jihad", "Ghar Wapsi", "Beef eating" and over "unfortunate incidents" at Hyderabad and JNU, Kumar asked Modi government to do some "serious work" as only two years of its tenure are effectively left since its last year would be spend in politics for next poll.