Nitish condemns Thackeray's remarks against Hindi-speaking people

Patna, Feb 4 (UNI) Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today condemned the ''unsavoury'' remarks by Raj Thackeray against Hindi-speaking people and described it as an attempt to gain cheap popularity.

After a ''Janta Darbar'' here, Mr Kumar told reporters that Mr Thackeray had slipped into political oblivion in recent times and he was trying to attract the media glare by making such kind of ''unpleasant'' remarks.

The Chief Minister also demanded from the Maharashtra Government to take legal action against Mr Thackeray, also the president of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, and said the delay in this regard would put the credibility of the government at stake.

Mr Kumar described the dubbing of pious ''Chhath'' festival as ''drama'' by Mr Thackeray as ''unfortunate'' and said those, who knew nothing about the festival, had no right to make such remarks.

Expressing concern at the fear-psychosis over bird flu, Mr Kumar called upon the media to report cautiously about such incidents.

'' As preventive measures, the state government had ordered culling of poultry birds in Purnea, Kishanganj and Katihar, '' he said.

UNI KKS SJC SP HT2110