Chidambaram should talk to me directly: Bihar CM

Patna, Apr 16: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Friday, Apr 16, lashed out at Union Home Minister P Chidambaram, saying that Chidamabaram should talk to him directly instead of speaking through the media on the Naxal issue.

"I have been saying that Chidambaram should have direct talks with me and officials instead of speaking through the media on the sensitive issue (maoist activities)," Kumar said when newsmen asked him to comment on Chidambaram's statement that Kumar did not turn up at a meeting called by him in Kolkata recently.

The Bihar Chief Minister stayed away from the high level meeting of Chief Ministers of Naxal-affected states of West Bengal, Bihar, Orissa and Jharkhand called by Home Minister on Feb 2010.

"I have participated in several meetings called by prime minister in New Delhi...I deputed my officials including the home secretary and DGP from Bihar to attend Chidambaram's meeting at Kolkata," Kumar countered.

"People should know that the home secretary and DGP can't attend any meeting without my consent," Kumar said.

In an attempt to justify his action, Kumar said that Chidambaram's stern approach towards Naxals is even resented by some senior Congress leaders.

OneIndia News