He said BJP president Nitin Gadkari and JD(U) president Sharad Yadav have expressed their views. “I have told our spokespersons to express his views on the basis of facts and as per the seriousness of the issue and not to say anything which will increase differences,” he said.

Incidentally, his remarks came a day after Nitin Gadkari asked all party functionaries and alliance partners to “exercise restraint” while airing views on coalition-related issues. He issued this instruction after Sharad Yadav strongly protested against the view expressed by BJP leader, Balbir Punj, in support of Gujarat chief minister and critical of Nitish Kumar.

It needs to be recalled that several Janata Dal (United) leaders, including state and national spokesmen, went all out against Narendra Modi after the publication of interview on June 19. However, the national general secretary, Shivanand Tiwary, went too far and publicly supported the economic policy of the UPA and said that NDA cannot come to power with a “fanatic face” in an apparent reference to Narendra Modi. The SAngh reacted sharply.

After that Sharad Yadav reprimanded Shivanand. But political observers are of the view that Shivanand did not speak on his own but did so on behalf of Nitish Kumar.

Whether Nitish’s latest statement is a part of strategy or realization of a big mistake can not be said immediately. But one thing is clear: on Tuesday he appeared somewhat defensive as in Bihar his diatribe against Modi was not generally welcomed. This is not simply because people support Modi but because there was absolutely no scope for repeatedly raking up such controversy for no rhyme or reason.