NDA has moved away from principles: Nitish

Yesterday, the BJP called for a Bihar bandh on June 18, day before Chief Minister Nitish Kumar faces a floor test in the State Assembly. It also called upon Kumar to resign and get re-elected as the leader of the party before the vote of confidence. "Today is a black day in Bihar's politics. The JD (U) betrayed a 17-year-old alliance. The people of Bihar gave heavy majority to the National Democratic Alliance, which the JD (U) axed in one stroke. What happened is unfortunate and the people of Bihar will avenge this insult of their mandate,' Bihar Deputy Chief Minister and BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi said at a press conference yesterday.

Addressing the 'betrayal' factor, Nitish laughed and said, "Look who's talking about betrayal! They betrayed their party elders (an apparent reference to LK Advani). It's the BJP which has betrayed us. We cannot compromise on principles and NDA is moving away from its principles," he says.