New Delhi: Congress on Friday reacted cautiously to Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's statement that he would support any party trying to form government at the Centre which gives special status to his state and said the party could talk to him only after he snaps ties with BJP.
"It is for Nitish Kumar to say whether he is ready (to come with us) or not ready. When he ends ties with BJP, then only there could be a dialogue," party spokesman Kapil Sibal told reporters here when asked whether Congress is still open to a tie-up with JD(U).
Kumar, JD(U) leader, earlier in the day said he would support a party which gives Bihar a special category state status.
Besides, Sibal asked Kumar to make it clear what he actually means by special status.
"We do not know what is the meaning of special status in Nitish Kumar's mind. We have already given lot of attention to Bihar and had given it a backdward status and more funds than that by NDA government," Sibal said.
Replying to questions, he dismissed suggestions that Congress would dump its existing allies in favour of new friends.