Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar responded on Friday to poll strategist Prashant Kishor's assertion that the JD-U leader is in contact with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), news agency ANI reported. Speaking to reporters, he said: “...He speaks for his own publicity and can speak whatever he wants, we don't care. He's young. There was a time when I used to respect him...those whom I respected had disrespected me."
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The JD(U) disputed Kishor's earlier Wednesday assertion that Kumar is in touch with the BJP and may seek a tie-up with the party once more if the circumstances calls for it as inaccurate and intended to sow confusion.
Kishor, who is now in Bihar on a "padyatra" that is seen to be a prelude to his upcoming return to active politics, informed the media that Kumar had maintained contact with the BJP through JD(U) MP and Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairperson Harivansh.
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"People who are thinking that Nitish Kumar is actively building a national alliance against the BJP will be surprised to know that he has kept a line open with the BJP. He is in touch with the BJP through his party MP and Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairperson Harivansh ji," Kishor said.
He asserted that even though the JD(U) has cut connections with the BJP, Harivansh has not been asked to resign from his Rajya Sabha position because of this.
(With Inputs From ANI)