Revealed: Why Nitish Kumar didn't visit midday meal victims

Bangalore, July 25:

Chief Minister

drew ire of the opposition, media and the common man for not visiting the families of 23 children who died after consuming poisoned

meal in a primary school in his state eight days ago.

Why didn't Kumar turn up to sympathise with the bereaved families?

According to a Wall Street Journal report, the ruling JD(U) has given an explanation for this. A senior member of the party reportedly said on Wednesday that Kumar couldn't visit the hospitalised children in Patna or the village where the tragedy took place, about 60 miles from the capital, because he has a fractured little toe in his left foot.

The leader told that Kumar suffered the injury about a fortnight ago when he hit his foot against an object while visiting the family of a deceased party worker in the state capital. The chief minister got a hairline fracture, he said. Another party official also confirmed the news and said that Kumar would visit the children and their families once he gets fit.

Kumar has been advised three weeks of complete rest by doctors, one of his spokesperson said, reported the blog.

Sources in the government said Kumar keeps his injured leg on a table while holding meetings at his home.

The opposition is not convinced, however. While the RJD suggested him to at least visit the hospital located about five miles away from his house in a wheelchair, the BJP accused him of insensitivity.

OneIndia News