Nitish meets Lalu to clear 'snake-sandalwood' controversy

Patna, Jul 24: With Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's recent 'snake-sandalwood' remarks ruffling feathers of ally RJD, the CM visited RJD President Lalu Prasad late last night apparently to clear the air.

Kumar drove to Prasad's 10 Circular road residence around 10 PM without any security cover and remained closeted with "Bade bahi" (Prasad) for nearly an hour, RJD chief's close aide and MLC Bhola Yadav told PTI today. "Its a normal meeting as Kumar keeps coming to Prasad," he said.

Kumar lives in the 7 Circular Road bungalow, a stone's throw away from Prasad's residence. Photographers captured Prasad, attired in his night dress, and Kumar coming together outside the house.

The two posed for shutterbugs holding each others' hands to signal unity among them. Prasad was asked if there was any confusion by Kumar's tweet comparing himself to "chandan" (sandalwood), which remains unaffected despite snakes wrapping themselves around which was interpreted as directed towards Prasad.

The RJD President told reporters since there was no confusion there was no question of sorting it out. "Earlier BJP used to say there was no chance of we coming together and now since this has happened they are trying to instigate trouble by making baseless allegations," the RJD chief said.

"We talked about the strategy for upcoming Bihar elections," he said. On being pressed further about what transpired at the meeting, Kumar said "chaliye ho gaya (lets move ahead its over now)", seeking to play down the controversy.

The Chief Minister's tweet in response to a question created a flutter in Bihar as it was seen directed against his ally RJD chief Lalu Prasad. But, Kumar later clarified his comment was for BJP which despite having "venomous thoughts" could not divert him from path of development of Bihar during seven-and-a-half year of NDA-JD(U) rule in the state.

PTI