Sunday, December 11 2005 16:47 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Patna: Taking a potshot at Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for asking to close the matter concerning Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) General Secretary Pramod Mahajan's alleged anti-Bihari remarks, the Congress today (Dec 11, 2005) charged Kumar with taking a 'u-turn' under 'pressure' from the BJP 'to stick to the chair' and vowed to take the matter to the people.

"Nitish Kumar took a u-turn on Mahajan's remarks within 24 hours under pressure from the BJP to stick to the chair. The Congress will tell the truth to the people," state Congress spokesman Prem Chandra Mishra said in a statement here.

Kumar, who had gone offensive against the alleged anti-Bihari remarks of the BJP leader changed his version after return from the BJP headquarters yesterday, this is enough to prove 'the pressure exerted by the BJP on the new CM,' he said and alleged that out of fear to loose the CM chair the CM bowed down before his ally.

Mishra said by 'backtracking' on the matter, Kumar has hurt the feelings of a large number of students from the state who have gone to other places for studies and employment.

"The whole world saw Mahajan on the TV channels openly threatening students from Bihar," he said, adding, "The Congress would continue protest over the matter."

The Congress spokesman said his party would take the matter to the people to expose the BJP and JD(U) compromising on the issues related to the sentiments of the state for 'lust of power.'