Nitish Kumar expresses 'deep hurt' over PM Modi's 'DNA' remark through open letter

Strongly objecting to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'DNA' remark during his visit to Patna last month, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Wednesday said the former's comments had left him and a major section of society with a sense of "very deep hurt".

"I believe these words have not only insulted the people of Bihar, but also those living outside Bihar. You are going to visit Bihar again soon. I am writing to you on behalf of all those people who have been hurt by your words. It is a common sentiment that your remarks did not suit the dignity of your post," Nitish said in an open letter to Prime Minister Modi.

"I am the son of Bihar; which means that I share the same DNA with the people of Bihar. Modi ji, you know that my father was a freedom fighter and my mother was an ordinary housewife. I have been raised in an ordinary rural family. I believe that your remarks not only raised questions about my lineage, but also hurt the dignity and legacy of Bihar," he added.

Nitish further said that the Prime Minister's remarks gave strength to the impression that he and the BJP haboured a prejudice towards the people of Bihar.

Prime Minister Modi had during his 'Parivartan rally' said there was something wrong with Nitish Kumar's political DNA that led him to ditch friends who had once worked with him.

"I was hurt when he withdrew his support. But when he did the same thing to a Mahadalit such as Jitan Manjhi, then I figured out there is something wrong in his political DNA," Modi had said.