Changing his tone, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar not only turned critical of demonetisation but also hit at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his “disgraceful” language against his critics without keeping in view the post he was holding. Without naming Modi, the CM was highly critical of the diminishing standard of langauge in the public lifeand said it was a matter of serious concern.
“There must be a certain standard in dialogues and debates. It is a matter of concern people are not even thinking of the posts they are holding before uttering disgraceful remarks,” said Nitish in an oblique reference to Modi’s bathing with raincoat comments on his predecessor Manmohan Singh in the RS.
Talking to media people on Monday, Nitish said such ugly remarks were also hurled at him but he never replied in similar vein. There is no scope of objectionable language in public life and should be discouraged, he added.
Reacting to media reports that he took a U-turn on demonetization, which he initially had supported, Nitish said whatever he said at the function of the book release of P Chidambaram in New Delhi a few days back where he criticized the decision was frank expression and it was up to the media and political class to make their mown interpretation. He also recalled that he expressed similar views on January 24 at the death anniversary of Karpoori Thakur and also after the presentation of Union Budget on February 1. “I had said that the people of the country wanted to know the gains of demonetization. I had also said that black money in cash was very little while the big chunk was benami assets, share and in gold and diamonds,” the CM explained and reiterated that the poor people engaged in unorganized sector who were badly affected should be compensated.
On the question paper leak in Bihar Staff Selection Commission for recruitment of clerks, the CM said the Special Investigation Team was working and probing the case and has arrested several people. “My policy is neither to save anybody or to implicate any and law is taking its own course. Everybody is equal before the eyes of law and one should believe in the police investigation,a he said while rejecting the demand of the CBI probe. He said he took suo motto cognizance of the newspaper reports and asked the DGP and Chief Secretary to look into the matter and on their recommendation cancelled the examination.
The CM also favoured exam schedule by Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) on the lines of Union Public Service Commission and said that the general administration department was in touch with BPSC for the reforms in exam and recruitment process.