Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has vowed not to make any more phone calls to RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav to inquire about his health.
Kumar was reacting for the first time to his former deputy and Lalu’s son, Tejashwi Yadav’s charges that the Bihar chief minister had cared to remember about his father’s health only four months after he was admitted for treatment.
“Not once, I inquired four times about Lalu Yadav ‘s health but not anymore. From now I will keep updates about him through the newspapers,” Kumar told reporters in Patna.
Refuting Tejashwi’s allegations, Kumar said, “I called up four times to enquire about Lalu ji’s health, who has been an old associate, keeping aside political differences.”
“I called up and spoke to Rajya Sabha MP Manoj Jha when Lalu ji was admitted at AIIMS in Delhi. I spoke to Bhola Yadav (MLA and Prasad’s close aide) on at least three occasions. When I spoke to him after the completion of surgery, Bhola Yadav handed over the phone to his recuperating leader,” he was quoted by PTI.
Kumar even went on to call Tejashwi and his family undignified. “If one had a personal relationship with someone then what is wrong in asking after their health? Look at how undignified they can be,” NDTV quoted him as saying.
Kumar’s phone call to Lalu had given rise to speculations that all was not well with the former and his ally, the BJP. However, quickly reacting to the development, Tejashwi had tweeted, “Nothing but a late courtesy call to enquire abt his health as he underwent fistula operation on Sunday.Surprisingly NitishJi got to knw abt his ill health after 4 months of hospitalisation.I hope he realises he is last politician to enquire following BJP/NDA Ministers visiting him. (sic)”
Kumar’s ‘courtesy call’ to Lalu last month had coincided with his party, the JDU, toughening its stand against the BJP by daring to the latter to pull out of the alliance in the state.