Whenever there is an attack on corruption, I'll support it: Nitish Kumar

NEW DELHI: Unmindful of murmurs in the Opposition camp over his stand on currency ban, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar maintained his support to the move on Saturday, asserting that he would back any attack on corruption keeping politics aside.

Kumar, who was one of the most vociferous critics of PM Narendra Modi till recently, said no serious attempt is currently being made to bring together non-BJP parties. A grand alliance of the opposition parties at the national level is certain to win the elections but no such scene was in sight, he said.

He asserted there is no problem in the ruling grand alliance in Bihar and mocked speculation about his growing proximity with BJP.

Kumar's strong support to 'notebandi,' which has riled leaders like TMC chief Mamata Banerjee, came at a meeting organised by his party JD(U) and later at a media event even as another top leader of his party Sharad Yadav targeted the Modi government over demonetisation in his presence.

"This 'notebandi' is a positive step which will lead to benefits. It will happen," Kumar, who is also the JD(U) chief, said, terming corruption and black money as a "big sin and festering wound" which must be eradicated. "Severe steps will have to be taken. That is why we offered our support to this (demonetization). It is a positive beginning... Whenever there is an attack on corruption, I will support it," he said.

He refrained from any criticism on the manner of its implementation causing inconvenience to people, an issue vociferously raised by the opposition and his party colleague Yadav.