New Delhi, Apr 16 (PTI): Stung by Nitish Kumar's attack, BJP today hit out at him, saying he is "nobody" to give certificate on secularism to Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi even as voices grew within the party hailing the leadership of veteran leader L K Advani.
The resentment in BJP over Kumar's scathing attack on Modi yesterday was amply clear with several leaders feeling that Kumar had "almost gone to a point of no return".
BJP President Rajnath acknowledged that an "unfortunate situation" has arisen in the wake of JD(U) stance but expressed confidence that it will be resolved.
BJP came out in strong defence of Modi, saying Kumar "does not have to speak" on Modi's credentials.
"So far as any allegation, accusation against our CM is concerned, we completely abhor that and Kumar is nobody whose certificate is required so far as that particular aspect is concerned," BJP spokesperson Meenakshi Lekhi told reporters.
While referring to JD(U) as an "old ally", Lekhi rubbed in the point that Kumar was a part of the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government when the Godhra incident took place and still continues to be a part of the NDA.
"In 2002 (when Gujarat riots took place) also, Nitish Kumar was a part of our (NDA) government. During the Sabarmati Express incident (Godhra, 2002), he was the Rail minister," Lekhi said.
Insisting that "there is nobody in the BJP who is not secular", she said BJP will consult its allies before deciding on who would be its PM candidate but made it clear that it is in no mood for a compromise.
The party's strong defence of Modi came even as there were voices within the party which suggested that Advani would be a prefered choice for NDA's Prime Ministerial face.
Senior leader Yashwant Sinha told a newspaper that if the "seniormost" and "respected" leader Advani is "available", that should end the debate over Prime Ministerial nominee.
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, who is also considered a contender for the Prime Ministerial race from the BJP, said Advani was the "tallest leader".
Lekhi made light of Sinha's view that Advani can be the NDA's PM candidate, saying he does not represent the BJP Parliamentary Board.
Rajnath Singh said in an NDTV programme that any decision on projecting a Prime Ministerial candidate will be taken by the Parliamentary Board.
Lekhi, while responding to the comments made by Nitish Kumar yesterday, said, "BJP cannot compromise with its ideology. This has already been stated categorically by the party yesterday."
Meanwhile, BJP leaders from Bihar, where BJP and JD(U) are running a coalition government, met Rajnath Singh to voice their grievances on the style of functioning of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.
A group of leaders apprised the BJP chief of the differences with Kumar and coalition partner JD(U), which is known from its aversion to Modi's perceived bid for Prime Ministership.
Among those who met Singh were former state unit chief C P Thakur, Health Minister Ashwani Choubey, Giriraj Singh and Chandramohan Rai.
The group, considered to be staunch supporters of Modi, strongly disapproved of the remarks made by Kumar at a JD(U) meeting yesterday asking BJP to name it's prime ministerial candidate for the general elections scheduled for next year.
The JD(U) had said that the PM candidate should have "secular credibility beyond doubt".
It is learnt that the section of leaders from Bihar told the BJP President that the party was not growing in Bihar due to its alliance with the JD(U) and conveyed their opposition to continuance of ties with it.
"We have told our Party President about all the issues. He has promised us that he will take an appropriate decision at an appropriate time," Giriraj Singh told reporters after the meeting at the BJP headquarters here.
Rajnath Singh is understood to have advised Bihar leaders against going to the media with their views.