Nitish Kumar flays BJP for barb against Amartya Sen

PATNA: Describing BJP's barb against noble laureate Amartya Sen as "symbol of intolerance", Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar accused its old NDA partner for encouraging "undemocratic" practises under the new leadership.

"This is a symbol of intolerance of the party (BJP)," Kumar told reporters at his Assembly chamber reacting to BJP MP Chandan Mitra's demand for stripping Amartya Sen of the 'Bharat Ratna' award.

"If you do not agree with us we will not tolerate you. This is the new way of thinking in that party under new leadership," Kumar added.

"According to them somebody does not have even right to air one's opinion on any subject," he said.

"The new culture in BJP makes it amply clear that they have little regard for the Indian constitution and the fundamental right of freedom of speech enshrined in it", Kumar, senior JD(U) leader who played a crucial role in his party severing ties with 17-year-old NDA partner BJP over elevation of Narendra Modi, said.

Kumar took the opportunity to once again justify his party decision to break up ties with the BJP.

"Anticipating such things we had decided to end ties with them (BJP)... (And) we did the right thing," the Bihar CM said.

The senior JD(U) leader said that the "sentiment of the country is still democratic" and these elements were "day dreaming" that they could crumble it."