Speaking exclusively to NDTV, BJP senior leader and MP Shatrughan Sinha said: "PM (Modi) didn't mean his remark on Nitish Kumar's DNA, but the comment was avoidable." The actor-politician defended his meetings with Nitish Kumar and Arvind Kejriwal, saying "courtesies and friendships are not bound by party" and that he talked development with the two chief ministers. Calling Nitish Kumar "a dear friend" Mr Sinha said that Mr Kumar was "one of the best chief ministers". Was he upset at not being included in the Modi Cabinet? Mr Sinha said that he was "mature enough to understand that choosing Cabinet is PM's prerogative", but his voters and well-wishers were upset that he wasn't made a minister.