New Delhi: Efforts by Samata Party president George Fernandes to mollify an angry Nitish Kumar on July 16 failed as the Railway Minister rejected all requests to take back his resignation from the Union Cabinet.

After a two-hour meeting Fernandes had with his party colleague at the latter's residence on July 16 morning, Kumar said that there was "no change" in his position and he would not return to his office.

"There is no change in the position," Kumar said when asked if he was still sticking to his decision.

Kumar said he would stay away from his ministry. "There is no question of my going to Rail Bhavan," he said.

Fernandes went to persuade Kumar personally after his telephonic talks with him failed to pacify the Samata leader who resigned on July 14 citing sharp differences in the Samata Parliamentary Party as the reason.

PTI