Not me, BJP responsible for break-up, says Nitish Kumar: Highlights

Patna: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, addressing a press conference in Patna, has said he is not responsible for his party ending a 17-year-long alliance with the BJP, earlier this year.

Following are the highlights of his press conference:

• (On breakup with BJP) I'm not responsible for the break up. BJP's responsible... I implemented what I said... but people should introspect what they used to say and what they do... I took the right decision and it was required... I'm vindicated
• (On Shatrughan Sinha's recent comments) He never said that he would like to join Janata Dal (United). His views are healthy and I welcome them. I don't want to create any embarrassing situation and I don't like to comment on their (BJP's) internal matters. I respect Shatrughan Sinha and he is loyal to his party. He is known for his outspoken independent views
• (On Mid-day meals) All District Magistrates have been asked to issue instructions to maintain strict vigil about hand pumps near schools
• Mid-day meal food grains to be checked
• The police is alert and if there is any pattern we will share with public and we are not ignoring these incidents... we are very serious about it right now and unless investigation report comes, it is not proper for me to comment
• Refuses to comment on the suspension of IAS officer Durga Shakti Nagpal by Uttar Pradesh government; says "don't know much about this"
• (On Food Security Ordinance) There are some suggestions and some objections from our side. Some suggestions were incorporated and we will state our facts but we support food security bill in principle
• Our suggestion for independent commission to identify below the poverty line families was not accepted
• Food Security composition will need some modification... we support this bill