Nitish Kumar's criticizing BJP 'baseless': RS Prasad

Union Minister for Communications and Information Technology Ravi Shankar Prasad on Thursday dismissed former Bihar chief minister's criticism of the BJP with respect to the ongoing political turmoil in Bihar as 'baseless'.

"Nitish ji has imposed baseless and untrue allegations on BJP, we condemn his statement. Nitish ji tendered his resignation as moral responsibility saying he will reach out to the people in order to restore their faith in him. We want to ask, when did he gain people's confidence again, that he has become so eager to be the chief minister?" Prasad said, while addressing a press conference.

"Nitish ji was running the government in Bihar through Jitan Ram Manjhi. When Jitan ji removed people close to Nitish ji, he got worried. Nitish Kumar is desperately reacting over his conclusive defeat in Bihar elections. But I will completely agree to High Court's decision over the majority," he added.

On Wednesday, Nitish Kumar and a delegation of MLAs from Bihar who support him, which also included Samajwadi Party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav, met President Pranab Mukherjee at the Rashtrapati Bhavan and requested him to look into the matter of the government formation in the state.

Afterwards, while addressing the media, Nitish had accused the BJP of attempting to force President's rule on Bihar and encouraging horse-trading in the state assembly.

Nitish, who wanted an invitation from Bihar Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi to form a new government in the state after he was elected the leader of JD (U) Legislature Party, had earlier called for a democratic process to be followed in the state.

Jitan Ram Manjhi, who has refused to resign as the Bihar Chief Minister, was earlier expelled from the JD (U) by party chief Sharad Yadav.

The action against Manjhi, who had earlier on Sunday met Prime Minister Modi in the national capital, came after the JD (U) accused him of anti-party activities.