Patna, January 23: Bihar Chief Minister and Janata Dal (United) president Nitish Kumar on Thursday hit back at his party colleague Pavan Kumar Varma who openly spoke against the party line over the Citizenship Amendment Act and alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for Delhi assembly elections. Speaking to reporters, Nitish Kumar asked Pavan Varma to join any party he likes, apparently asking him to quit the JD(U). NRC Will Not be Implemented in Bihar, Says CM Nitish Kumar.

"If anyone has any issues then the person can discuss it within the party or at party meetings, but such kind of public statements are surprising. He can go and join any party he likes, my best wishes are with him," Kumar said. His remarks came a day after Varma, who holds the post of general secretary in the JD(U), criticised his party's alliance with the BJP in Delhi, seeking "ideological clarity" from the Chief Minister. The BJP allotted two seats to the JD(U) in Delhi where polls will be held on February 8.

Nitish Kumar's Response to Pavan Kumar Varma:

"On more than one occasion, you have expressed your grave apprehensions about the BJP-RSS combine. If these are your real views, I fail to understand how the JDU is now extending its alliance with the BJP beyond Bihar, when even long-standing allies of the BJP, like the Akali Dal, have refused to do so," Varma said in his letter to Kumar. He said he wants to know why the JD(U) joined hands with the BJP when there is "massive national outrage against the divisive CAA-NPR-NRC scheme".

Earlier, Varma objected to the JD(U) voting for the Citizenship Amendment Act in Parliament and described the law as "exclusionist". He claimed that Kumar had announced in a meeting that JD(U) would not vote for the CAA. However, later he changed his stance, alleged Varma. While the JD(U) voted for the CAA, Kumar has asserted that the NRC won't be carried out in Bihar.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 23, 2020 11:24 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).