Twitter
Advertisement

Nitish Kumar discounts any talk on alliance with Congress; praises LJP chief Ramvilas Paswan

Latest News
article-main
FacebookTwitterWhatsappLinkedin

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Monday ruled out any talks with the Congress at any level for a tie-up in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, but had kind words for LJP president Ramvilas Paswan.

"The reports of Congress weighing options between RJD or JD(U) for a tie-up in Bihar is non-existent... at no time anybody from JD(U) had a talk with the Congress at any level," he told reporters.

"JD(U) is not in any such queue," he said on the sidelines of "Janata ke darbar mein Mukhya Mantri" programme.

Kumar, who is the driving force of JD(U), said at the moment his party has reached an understanding with the Jharkhand Vikas Morcha of Babulal Marandi.

"Even when we reach a decision on seat sharing with the JVM, we will tell it to the media," he said.

Amid talks of private parleys going on between JD(U) and LJP for a tie-up, he said "there is no formal talks in this regard."

Kumar, however, lavishly praised LJP president Ramvilas Paswan and said "Bahut achey admi hain (he is a very nice person)."

Kumar said after the February 2005 Assembly elections "we had offered chief ministership to Ramvilas Paswan, but he had declined".

"In the Assembly elections later in the same year, we tried to have an alliance with his party but it could not happen," he said.

Seeking to throw the ball in Paswan's court, he said "I consider him a nice man, but question arises whether he also thinks the same for us."

"He has to make a decision on what kind of alliance he would like to have," the Chief Minister said.

On a question about a spat with RJD president Lalu Prasad at a function on Saturday, Kumar lamented the episode but blamed the latter for it.

"He shunned all decency and started talking absurd that my government is controlling media through advertisements... the allegation is not true... besides was it the platform for uttering such things?" he said.

Kumar, who separated from Prasad after being together during the 1974 JP movement and in formation of a RJD government in 1989, said "one thing is clear, he will not go without a suitable reply if he keeps throwing mud at me." On a question regarding the chances of Aam Admi Party in the coming Lok Sabha elections after making a stunning debut in the recently concluded Delhi Assembly elections, Kumar refrained from making a direct comment.

"Everybody has the right to start a party and contest elections," he added. 

Find your daily dose of news & explainers in your WhatsApp. Stay updated, Stay informed-  Follow DNA on WhatsApp.
Advertisement

Live tv

Advertisement
Advertisement