Bihar CM Nitish Kumar slams Centre for not following courtsey

PATNA: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today alleged that the Centre did not return the courtsey extended by him to Prime Minister Narendra Modi when he visited the state.

Kumar said that he followed "sistachar" (courtsey) when the Prime Minister visited the state but a Bihar Minister was not given the opportunity to speak at PM's programme.

"Bihar Road Construction Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh Lallan representing the state at PM's official programme at Arrah was present on the dais but not given opportunity to speak," Kumar said after inaugurating an Engineering college at Chandi in his native Nalanda district.

Following protocol, Kumar had gone to Patna Airport to receive the PM during his August 18 visit. He, however, did not attend the Arrah programme of Union Surface ministry where the PM announced a special package of Rs 1.65 lakh crore for Bihar.

In an apparent dig at PM, Kumar said, "he comes when election is around but I always live with the people here."

"People from outside would come and go but I am born here and have to live with people of Bihar," Kumar said.

"Despite being son of a freedom fighter, my principle and culture was dubbed as 'ahankar' (arrogance). I am prepared to become a 'yachak' (seeker) for the cause of the state," Kumar said in a bid to slam the PM for barbs against him at Arrah function.

Kumar attended many development functions at his native Nalanda district during the day.