Nitish Kumar is a dictator, says George Fernandes

Wednesday, February 14, 2007

Patna, Feb 14 (IANS) Janata Dal-United (JD-U) leader George Fernandes once again hit out at party colleague and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar Wednesday, this time terming him a "dictator".

Fernandes was addressing journalists during a daylong visit to his parliamentary constituency of Muzaffarpur, about 70 km from here.

"Nitish Kumar is a dictator, he was a dictator and he will be a dictator," he remarked when asked whether he agreed with the chief minister's style of functioning.

Fernandes, who suffered a humiliating defeat in the JD-U elections last year when Sharad Yadav was chosen president, said he would not say much about the state government headed by Nitish Kumar.

"I am waiting for the right time to open my mouth about the functioning and performance of this government," he said.

During his visit to Bihar in October, Fernandes had shocked everyone by saying that nothing had changed in the state despite the party coming to power and that corruption still ruled.

He had said that law and order continued to be a pressing problem, contrary to the chief minister's claim of 'sushashan' (good governance).

"Last year, our dreams were fulfilled when we ousted the Lalu-Rabri duo from power. With a change in government, people expected a lot but they have yet to get any relief," Fernandes had said.

Fernandes, who is still the convenor of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), arrived in Patna Tuesday night. He was received by JD-U legislator P.K. Sinha and other party workers.

Sources close to Fernandes said he had detailed discussions with some JD-U leaders who were unhappy with Nitish Kumar and JD-U president Sharad Yadav.