JDU support Lokpal Bill in Rajya Sabha

PATNA: CM Nitish Kumar welcomed the Centre's move to introduce Lokpal Bill in Rajya Sabha and said the JD (U) will support it in Parliament. He said in Bihar, his government brought a strong Lokpal legislation last year. He, however, refused to comment on Aam Aadmi Party's leader Arvind Kejriwal's opposition to the Bill.

Talking to media people on Monday, the CM said the only viable solution for Delhi assembly crisis is fresh election since neither the BJP nor the AAP have the number to form government. He said there is no harm in holding fresh election and reminded that in 2005, Bihar assembly elections were held twice in one year. In Delhi, the reelection will be held next year, he said and added that in March, 2005 election, the NDA headed by him had not the number and the governor had not invited him to form the government. Later on, another election was held in November the same year.

Attacking BJP prime ministerial pick Narendra Modi without naming him, Nitish said he should spell out his views on "substantial" issues rather than trying to exploit the names of Lord Rama and Sardar Patel for taking political mileage. Nitish said it would not help the BJP. He said a person named as PM candidate needs to make public his views on substantive issues like country's economy, 
foreign relations, stand on China and PoK. "The country's unity is a must but it may be in danger if a large section of population is isolated," he said and added that elections can't be won by using symbols and icons.

Asked about the chances of Congress naming Rahul Gandhi as its prime ministerial nominee, he said, "It's an internal matter of the party and each party has right to project anybody. I am nobody to comment on what decision they take."

Nitish, who had an hourlong meeting with YSR Congress founder Jagan Reddy on Friday, said Reddy had a valid point in protesting the division of Andhra Pradesh to create Telangana without consulting the state assembly which violated the spirit of Article 3 of the Constitution. "Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh were earlier reorganized, but the respective state assemblies had passed resolutions for the creation of new states," he said.

The CM, while replying to a question, said former Supreme Court judge A K Ganguly should resign as the chairman of West Bengal Human Rights Commission following the indictment by an apex court panel for allegedly sexually harassing an intern. He said Ganguly can plead his case after quitting the post.

******************