Nitish Sees 'Friend For Life' In BJP Leaders, RJD Downplays Bihar CM's Comment

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, in the presence of several dignitaries, including President Draupadi Murmu, openly declared that the strong camaraderie between him and BJP leaders will endure "as long as he is alive."

Addressing a university convocation in Motihari, Kumar, pointing towards a BJP leader from the stage, said, "All the people we have here are our friends. We are different, you are different, does it mean our friendship will end? You will remain connected to me as long as I live. We will all work together. President, we are very happy that you are here. We would like you to keep coming here. We will show you the entire Champaran once, the land of Mahatma Gandhi,"

However, Kumar's remarks have been downplayed by JDU's partner RJD and said that the Bihar Chief Minister was speaking of his personal relationships.

"Radha Mohan Singh (of BJP) was sitting in front, so he spoke about his personal relationship. There is no mention of any party. People interpreted him incorrectly," said RJD's Shakti Yadav.

Also, the BJP said it has severed all ties with Nitish Kumar and no longer has any association with him.

"As a result of the implementation of the last three agricultural road maps, the productivity of paddy, wheat and maize in the state has almost doubled. Bihar has also become a leading state in the production of mushrooms, honey, makhana (fox nuts) and fish. The launch of the fourth Agriculture Road Map is an important step towards taking this effort forward," President Murmu said.

Speculation about Nitish Kumar's in talks with the BJP gained momentum after Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad left Kumar in his speech, according to a report in Times Now. Further raising eyebrows, the JDU chief was seen exchanging pleasantries with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the recent G-20 event in New Delhi.