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Nitish rules out aligning with Congress

Last updated on: May 05, 2009 18:27 IST

All India Congress Committee general secretary Rahul Gandhi's praise of him notwithstanding, Bihar Chief Minister
Nitish Kumar scotched speculations on Tuesday, of having any plan to join the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance after the Lok Sabha elections.

"Thanks! I thank Rahul Gandhi for the praise," Kumar told media-persons, but said there was no substance in speculations on his quitting the National Democratic Alliance and joining the UPA after elections.

Asked if any political conclusions could be drawn from Rahul's praise, Kumar said, "Not at all. I am not looking right or left. Wherever I am, I am happy. My government is running all right and the people are satisfied. There is no reason to speculate that I am willing to forge new alliances."

"It is good that adversaries have also begun to take notice of the good work being done by us, though many central government organisations had appreciated us on various issues long back," he said.  Kumar parried a question whether he was willing to join the UPA minus Lalu Prasad's Rashtriya Janata Dal, saying "I have served the people of Bihar with dedication and this has had extensive effect on public opinion and we are getting positive votes in this election."

Asked about Communist Party of India-Marxist Politburo member Sitaram Yechury's praise of him and offer to join the Third Front, and his reciprocal adulation for the Left and shared views on a variety of issues including the Indo-US civil nuclear deal, he said, "Do you expect me to criticise somebody who has praised me. But this does not mean that a political alignment is about to take place." Kumar dismissed suggestions of prime ministerial ambitions, saying "I am not so important."