Katju made remarks against Nitish Kumar to hog headlines: JD(U)

Ruling JD(U) in Bihar on Saturday took a dig at Press Council of India (PCI) chairman Markandey Katju's remarks about freedom of press being under attack in the state and alleged that he had made such remarks to hog the headlines in newspapers.

"Katju made the remarks against the Nitish Kumar government only to hog headlines in newspapers," JD(U) national spokesman Shivanand Tiwari told reporters here and said his comments relating to putting a curb on media in Bihar was 'absolutely wrong'.

"Katju has mastery over securing prominent space in newspapers by making controversial remarks ... He has mastery in the art of hogging headlines."

Political leaders should take a lesson from Katju for securing prominent place in newspapers, he commented sarcastically.

The PCI chief was free to send any team to any place in the state, Tiwari said adding "We will welcome and cooperate with PCI in Bihar if it seeks our help."

Referring to the media in the state, he said "We will be happy to know from mediamen whether they are really under attack in Bihar."

He recalled that when the Press Bill was introduced in Bihar he along with Kumar went to jail to oppose it in letter and spirit.