Bihar CM Nitish Kumar justifies sending policemen for Delhi ACB

PATNA: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today attacked the NDA government for making a "hue and cry" over drafting five of Bihar policemen in Delhi's Anti-Corruption Branch - the latest face-off between Lt Governor Najeeb Jung and CM Arvind Kejriwal.

"Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had requested me for officials for strengthening anti-corruption unit in Delhi following which I sent the policemen to Delhi for the purpose," he told reporters.

"Its normal that one state helps another," the Bihar CM said emerging from a book release function here.

"I do not know why the Union government is making a hue and cry over the issue of fighting corruption," Kumar said taking potshots at the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre.

On BJP leaders making an issue out of it and questioning the decision to send policemen to Delhi when Bihar was facing shortage of officials, Kumar retorted, "Then why Union ministers hailing from Bihar have taken away our officials?"

Three inspectors and two sub-inspectors of Bihar Police have joined the elite ACB following a request by the AAP government to the Bihar administration, a move seen as an effort to reduce the anti-graft body's reliance on Delhi Police.

The LG office has rejected the appointments saying they do not have his approval and that the ACB functions under his direct authority and control.

Nitish Kumar enjoys cordial relationship with Kejriwal. Kumar had a lunch with Kejriwal in Delhi when he had become the Delhi CM. Earlier, Kejriwal had sent a congratulatory message to Kumar on his becoming CM for the fourth time on February 22, this year.