Nitish denies Cong-LJP poll pact

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Monday scotched speculations that an alliance with the Congress and the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) was being worked out. “As of now, there are no formal talks either with the Congress or the LJP regarding any kind of poll pact for the ensuing Lok Sabha elections,” Nitish said.

The Janata Dal-United strongman reacted after a section of media reported that Congress heir apparent Rahul Gandhi was keen to join hands with Nitish, who enjoys a clean image, than going for a tie-up with Lalu, who has been convicted in fodder scam.

“I have also read that there will be either the Congress-RJD-LJP alliance in Bihar or, alternately, Congress-JD-U-LJP tie-up. But so far no talks have been held with the Congress,” reiterated Nitish.

He, however, had a word of praise for LJP chief Ram Vilas Paswan. “We always have high regards for Paswanji. In fact, we have been trying to woo him since January 2005,” he revealed his plan which was seen more as an attempt to create fissures in the UPA and wean away one of its trusted constituents.

Nitish also launched an attack on his Gujarat counterpart Narendra Modi. “The one who talks of inclusive growth can only run this country, not the person who intends to divide society,” said Nitish. “Neither Gujarat riots can be condoned, nor people will ever forgive him Modi for this.”