"No graft taint on him...": Rajnath on decision to have Nitish back in NDA fold

Explaining the rationale behind the BJP welcoming back former partner Nitish Kumar and his party, the JDU, into the NDA fold, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said his party was happy to have a leader with no 'graft' taint on him back in the mix.

After a brief dalliance with the RJD, Congress and other parties in the Mahagathbandhan (grand alliance) in Bihar, Nitish, in another of his switchovers, returned to the NDA earlier this year and took oath as the chief minister for the ninth time with the support of the BJP and the other constituents in the ruling alliance.

Weighing in on the Nitish question in an interview with ANI, the Defence Minister said, "One should remember that there is no taint of corruption on him. This isn't a small thing and should be acknowledged. Hence, it only stands to reason that we would be happy to have a leader like him back with us."

Not blaming the nine-time Bihar CM for all the ills and issues plaguing the state, Rajnath said, "The prevailing state of affairs in Bihar will change for the better. You will soon see the difference. The state will mark rapid forward strides in the coming days. The country cannot progress till all the states meet all development parameters and register rapid growth."