Still Smarting Over Poll Results, Nitish Kumar Snubs Chirag Paswan

Chirag Paswan, who was upset when Nitish Kumar did not visit his ailing father, today said he had made every effort to ensure the Chief Minister's presence at the ceremony

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar made it clear that he is not ready to bury the hatchet with Lok Janshakti Shakti Party's Chirag Paswan over his role in the state elections, which pushed the Janata Dal United to the second place in the state's ruling alliance. Mr Kumar skipped the programme for the first death anniversary of Mr Paswan's father Ram Vilas Paswan - attended by almost all important political leaders in the state. No reason was cited for his absence. His office just released a one-line press release that said he paid his respects to the departed leader. Leaders of Mr Kumar's alliance partner BJP turned out in strength for the ceremony organised in Patna.