Nitish Kumar hits back at Katju, says Bihar witnessing rapid growth

Without naming Press Council of India chairman Markandey Katju who had criticised Bihar chief minister on Friday, Nitish Kumar on Saturday said some people were moving in the state like the 'Ramayana's character 'Kalnemi' to turn a vibrant atmosphere of the state into gloom.

Without naming Press Council of India chairman Markandey Katju who had criticised Bihar chief minister on Friday, Nitish Kumar on Saturday said some people were moving in the state like the 'Ramayana's character 'Kalnemi' to turn a vibrant atmosphere of the state into gloom.

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"Bihar is witnessing rapid growth after change of environment conducive to progress...but some people are moving around the state like the epic Ramayana's character Kalnemi to transform an environment of enthusiasm prevailing in the state into gloom," Kumar said.

"They appear from nowhere all of a sudden and return after giving sermon," he said.

Referring to the 'Ramayana', Kumar said 'Kalnemi' had tried to confuse Lord Hanuman while he was on way to bring 'Sanjeevani' to save the life of Ram's brother Lakshman.

When a mediaperson sought a pointed reaction from him on Katju's comment, the chief minister said "he is a big personality what can I say about him."

Katju had on Friday claimed that Bihar chief minister had lost the goodwill of people as indicated by public protests against him during his recent 'Adhikar yatra' and said he was "scared" of facing the people.

"The chief minister was shown black flags by the people and massive public protests took place during his 'Adhikar yatra' which proves that he has failed to fulfil the promises of development, employment and electricity even seven years after assuming power,"the PCI chief had told a function.