NITISH MEETS PM, SCOTCHES RUMOURS

A day after he skipped the Opposition unity lunch called by Congress president Sonia Gandhi, Bihar Chief Minister and JD(U) chief Nitish Kumar on Saturday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a luncheon meeting with visiting Mauritius PM Pravind Jugnauth, sparking off speculation about him gravitating towards the ruling NDA.

Mr Kumar, however, was quick to scotch the rumours, saying that too much was being read into the meeting which was a routine event. He said that he discussed issues related to his state with the PM, including desilting of the Ganga, and added that it was essential for him to be present at the meeting because Bihar has a deep connect with Mauritius.

Bihar Chief Minister and Janata Dal (United) chief Nitish Kumar on Saturday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a luncheon meeting with visiting Mauritius PM Pravind Jugnauth. “Half of the population in Mauritius is of Bihari origin. The PM had invited me for the luncheon and, as the state CM, and I decided to accept it,” he said.

On why he did not attend Mrs Gandhi’s lunch on Friday, he said that he had already met the Congress chief on May 20 and had deputed his senior party colleague, Sharad Yadav, to attend the meet.

Top leaders from 17 Opposition parties had come together on Friday to send across a message to the ruling BJP on its third anniversary.

He didn’t only share the dais with Mr Modi in Bihar recently, but has also praised the PM saying that “he (Modi) became PM candidate in 2014 as he was capable, and as per people’s wishes.”