Fernandes says he sought ouster of UPA govt and not Nitish's

New Delhi, Oct 8 (UNI) NDA Convenor and Veteran Janata Dal (United) leader George Fernandes today clarified that he had not demanded the ouster of JD(U) government led by Nitish Kumar in Bihar but wanted the UPA Government at the Centre to go.

''My mind is always focused on the UPA Government and my response was referred to that government and not to the Bihar Government,'' Mr Fernandes said in a statement here.

He made this clarification regarding the media reports about his saying yesterday, ''This government should have gone long ago.'' Mr Fernandes had said this yesterday outside Beur Jail in Patna, where he had gone to meet former JD(U) MP Anand Mohan, who has been given capital punishment by a court in the murder case of former Gopalganj DM G Krishnaiah, to express his support and solidarity.

The media reports quoted Mr Fernandes as taking a swipe at his bete noire Bihar Chief Minsiter by saying that leaders should work out a strategy to remove the Nitish Kumar Government.

Mr Fernandes, estranged from his party after being replaced by Sharad Yadav as the JD(U) President, did not attend the two-day National Executive meeting of the party either, which concluded yesterday.

The party sources said Mr Fernandes was invited for the National Executive meet but the reason for his not attending it was not clear.

UNI