As BJP patriarch LK Advani played down the Narendra Modi-Nitish Kumar stand-off, the JD (U) today said the Bihar chief minister's outburst was quite natural as the photograph row had dealt a severe blow to NDA's state agenda.
It, however, appreciated Advani's gesture at a rally in Patna when he said he was feeling Nitish Kumar's absence at the venue.
Yesterday, the Bihar chief minister took umbrage at a newspaper advertisement which showed him holding hands with Narendra Modi, his Gujarat counterpart.
"We appreciate Advani's gesture. We are happy he has felt Nitish's absence at the rally," JD(U) spokesperson Shivanand Tiwari told PTI.
He, however, said the issue had definitely dealt a blow to the NDA's Bihar agenda.
Reaching out to Nitish, Advani told the rally "there can be differences in an alliance. I read in the newspapers that due to an advertisement, there were cracks. But by shaking hands, how can there be cracks. It can only lead to friendship."
"I would have been very happy if Nitish was present here at this grand rally and addressed it with us," said Advani.
Reacting to this, Tiwari said "it is his views that the photograph projected strengthening of the bond between the two NDA constituents."
He, however, added "Advani is a senior and top leader and we have respect for him."
