Patna, March 24 :  Bihar's ruling Janata Dal-United (JD-U) was taken aback Monday when its candidate in Sheohar, Sabir Ali, praised BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi.

"Modi's policies (in Gujarat) are good and Modi's work for development is also laudable," Ali told the media here.

He added that "small parties" -- he did not name any -- were trying to cheat Muslims in the name of secularism. "But Muslims will not get trapped in this game this time."

Ali is reportedly in touch with the Bharatiya Janata Party and may join it. He has been upset after the JD-U declined to nominate him to the Rajya Sabha.

(IANS)