Bihar CM defends ticket denial to Fernandes

Amid deepening controversy over denial of ticket by JD-U to its veteran leader George Fernandes from his sitting Muzaffarpur seat, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Wednesday said the former Defence Minister is being "misled" by others.

Amid deepening controversy over denial of ticket by JD-U to its veteran leader George Fernandes from his sitting Muzaffarpur seat, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Wednesday said the former Defence Minister is being "misled" by others.

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"Whatever George is saying is not his words," Kumar said when asked to comment on the former Defence Minister's assertions on contesting from Muzaffarpur even after denial of ticket by the party.

"You have seen the person who is standing beside him... Ganesh Yadav. He is not even a member of our party. He is in RJD, and our JD-U candidate defeated him in the last assembly election," Kumar said referring to photographs and video clips in newspapers and TV channels in which Yadav is seen standing near Fernandes in Muzaffarpur.

The Bihar CM made the observation while replying to queries whether somebody is misleading Fernandes. There are people who are goading him to contest for political and other reasons, Kumar claimed.

Maintaining that he has full respect for Fernandes, Kumar defended the party's decision not to give him a ticket saying, "The party requested him (not to contest) keeping in mind his health. We are his well wishers and all his well wishers have a common opinion."