Vice-Presidential poll 2017: Bihar CM Nitish ditches opposition again, decides to skip meet

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has again ditched the non-NDA parties as the leader has decided not to attend the meeting which has been called to discuss the opposition’s candidate in vice presidential polls.   

Kumar had skipped opposition’s meeting to discuss presidential nominee last month. It is said that the chief minister was down with fever.

But, the party has called a meeting of its MLAs and MPs in Patna on Tuesday which would take place as per schedule.

On the other hand, the chief minister cancelled Monday public interface event and the subsequent press conference on health grounds, triggering speculation that he was avoiding the media in view of the recent CBI raids on the family of alliance partner Lalu Prasad.

Also Read: Bihar CM Nitish Kumar says he would attend Lalu Prasad Yadav's anti-BJP rally, if invited

Neither Kumar, nor his party, the JD(U), has commented so far on Friday's CBI raids in four cities in connection with a corruption case, in which Lalu Prasad, his wife Rabri Devi and son Tejashwi are among the accused. "The Lok Samvad programme, which was scheduled for Monday, stands cancelled due to an indisposition of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar," said an official release.

Lok Samvad is a public interface programme of Kumar held every Monday. It is aimed at collecting the feedback of the people on the implementation of the development schemes and gather new ideas to strengthen 'sushasan' (good governance).

 After the Lok Samvad programme, the chief minister holds a press conference.

Also Read: Ramvilas Paswan appreciates Nitish Kumar for supporting presidential nominee Ram Nath Kovind, urges him to join NDA

While Kumar has maintained a studied silence on the issue of raids on Lalu's family, another ally Congress has expressed solidarity with the RJD chief and accused the central BJP government of "misusing" the official machinery.