Bihar Chief Minister and JDU chief Nitish Kumar on Saturday responded to Rashtriya Janata Dal president Lalu Prasad Yadav's "doors open" remark, stating: "Don't think of who says what...Things were not going well, so I left them (RJD)." On Friday, Lalu Prasad had said that his party's "doors were always open" for Bihar CM Nitish Kumar even after the latter took a u-turn to join hands with BJP-led NDA ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.
Lalu Prasad has maintained a calm demeanor even after his party lost power due to Nitish Kumar's abrupt return and made the "doors open" remark while speaking to the media. Earlier on Thursday, the two leaders were spotted in the Vidhan Sabha premises where they were seen exchanging pleasantries.
When questioned about the cordial interaction with Nitish, the JDU leader replied: "Let him come back. Then we will see." (jab aaenge tb dekha jaaega).
Prasad, who has been confined indoors due to his kidney transplant surgery two years back, had visited his party's candidates Manoj Jha and Sanjay Yadav to boost their morale as they filed their nominations for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections.
Bihar's Deputy CM Vijay Kumar Sinha commented on Lalu Yadav's remarks on Nitish Kumar stating: "Bihar's former CM Lalu Prasad Yadav is ailing. He is scared. Ever since CM Nitish Kumar announced that those who looted the people of Bihar won't be spared, the entire family is heaping praises on him. CM has ordered us to implement a zero-tolerance policy against corruption...Rule of law will be established here. Double-engine government will take PM's mantra of 'Sabha Saath Sabka Vikas' to every household. He (Lalu Yadav) may make as many attempts as he wants but CM has said that the public mandate was, is, and will be with the NDA."
RJD leader Manoj Jha also commented on the Lalu Prasad's statements saying, "... Lalu Yadav has a big heart. He must have thought that at some point in time, Nitish Kumar was part of the family. What did Nitish Kumar do? Without any reason, without telling anyone he switched over."
Meanwhile, JD(U) MLC and chief spokesman Neeraj Kumar said that Nitish Kumar has clearly stated that whenever RJD shares power with JDU, it engages in corruption. "There is no question of going back," he said.