Nitish terms Shahabuddin’s remarks as ‘unimportant’

Patna, Sep 11 (PTI) Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumartoday termed as "unimportant" RJD strongman MohammadShahabuddin’s remarks describing him as "chief minister ofcircumstances" and said he would go by the people’s mandateand not by what someone else says. "We have not got the mandate to give reactions. You(media persons) too are wasting your time and space on this.The whole world knows what is the mandate of the people ofBihar. Should I go by the people’s mandate or pay attention towhat someone is saying? We have not paid attention to suchthings in the past. All these things are not important," hetold reporters here. Kumar said this in response to a query by mediapersons on the sidelines of a programme at Bihar College ofPhysiotherapy and Occupational Therapy here. Shahabuddin’s description of Nitish Kumar as ‘chiefminister of circumstances’ after his release from jailyesterday has created ripples in political circles. In an embarrassment to the Chief Minister, RJDvice-president Raghuvansh Prasad Singh said, "What is wrong init (Shahabuddin’s statement)? Nitish Kumar has indeed been aChief Minister of circumstances and not because of his ownstrength and numbers." Senior BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi secondedShahabuddin’s remarks. He also termed as a "well plannedstrategy" of the Nitish Kumar government to ensure the RJDstrongman’s release from jail. PTI AR KDK NN SRYKKB