• Source:JND
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Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Saturday dismissed speculations that his recent ‘friendship with all leaders’ remark during the convocation ceremony in Motihari was an attempt to mend fences with the BJP and denied having any desire to get involved with the BJP again. 

Nitish Kumar emphasised that his statement was misinterpreted. "I just wanted to remind the people over there (in convocation) to remember the work which has been done by the state govt in Bihar else people only falsely talk about the central government, " the Bihar CM said while clarifying his statement. 

Earlier on Thursday, Kumar’s statement created a political flutter after he said, "All the people we have here are our friends. You will remain connected to me as long as I live.”

Following his statement, there were speculations in the media that the JDU is again leaning towards the BJP. However, the BJP distanced itself from the chief minister’s remark and said that its doors were ‘closed’ for the chief minister who left the saffron party a year ago.

"Nitish Kumar has left, we have asked him to leave. BJP believes that we are together in development but there is a fight on principles. Amit Shah has said that he has no connection with Nitish Kumar,” State BJP President Samrat Choudhary was quoted as saying by ANI.

Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Kumar’s ally, also clarified that the Bihar CM was speaking about his personal relationships. “Radha Mohan Singh (of BJP) was sitting in front (during the convocation), so he spoke about his personal relationship. There is no mention of any party. People interpreted him incorrectly,” said RJD leader Shakti Yadav. 

The Bihar CM also slammed BJP leader and his former deputy Sushil Kumar Modi who earlier said that the JD(U) leader was trying to “scare and confuse” the Congress and RJD by speaking of “personal friendship” with the BJP leaders.

(With Agency Inputs)