“There was no talk regarding JD(U) joining Union cabinet at any level. We neither considered the issue nor had any desire or expectation to join the Union cabinet. The issue was being speculated only in media. JD(U)’s name was dragged unnecessarily, without any reason, in media,” Nitish told reporters after ‘Lok Samvad’ programme here.
He also requested media persons to contact him for JD(U)’s view before going to make any speculation about his party. “If there is any matter related to my party, please ask me,” Nitish who is also JD(U) national president, said.
JD(U) formally joined the BJP-led NDA on July 19 after its national council meet in Patna passed a resolution in this regard, and since then there was an intense speculation in a section of media that Nitish’s party would get at least two berths in Modi cabinet in next expansion. When it was announced that the cabinet reshuffle would take place on Sunday, a section of media came out with the names of even probable ministers from the JD(U).
“We understand you (media persons) too have some compulsions. You have 24×7 news channels and 24-page newspapers. You have to show something or write something. But your speculation on JD(U) has this time been proved wrong,” the CM said, adding, “I believe in principles of Mahatma Gandhi. Whatever you want to show, you are free to show, I will not react adversely.”
A day before reshuffle, Nitish had categorically said that there was no talk between his party and BJP over JD(U) joining the cabinet and “he got information about JD(U) joining Narendra Modi’s cabinet through media only.”
“Spare a thought for Nitish Kumar ji who was the bee’s knees in the UPA & now only hears of union cabinet reshuffles through the media,” Omar Abdullah had tweeted while reacting sarcastically over Nitish’s remarks. Abdullah’s National Conference is part of an 18-outfit conglomeration of opposition parties led by Congress.
Source : timesofindia
