I thanked Cong, but Lalu is so ungrateful: Nitish

As campaigning for the polls enters the decisive stage, JD(U) chief and Bihar CM Nitish Kumar seems unperturbed by the coming together of Lalu Prasad, Ram Vilas Paswan and Mulayam Singh Yadav. Not because he — unlike others — doesn't aspire to become PM but because as he says: "My government has worked... We are bound to get votes." Excerpts from an interview with Raj Kumar and Faizan Ahmad:
NDA or UPA — whose government would it be after the polls?
UPA? They have disintegrated. RJD-LJP-SP are fighting against Congress. PMK has also parted ways with it. Left parties walked away long ago. But even NDA allies — AIADMK, Trinamool, BJD and TDP — have deserted BJP... Fresh alliances have been inked — like with RLD in UP; INLD in Haryana and AGP in Assam. So, what is your forecast? It is too early to say... Moreover, I am more interested in Bihar. How many seats would NDA win in Bihar? All 40. Why should I say any less? That would be conceding defeat even before the battle begins. That sounds like an exaggeration, especially in view of the RJD-LJP-SP pact... Caste factor won't come into play this time. Which voter — Hindu or Muslim, upper caste or backward caste — would like to change what our government has done — roads, law and order, investments? Don't you think Muslims would vote for you as CM in assembly polls next year, but not now? Why? My government has worked for them. We have taken measures for their talim . We got 900 graveyards fenced. We reopened the Bhagalpur riots cases, and the accused were convicted... But they may not vote for Advani as PM... Even in assembly polls, they said Nitish is with BJP, kaat dega, katwa dega . What happened? There has been complete harmony during the last three years of NDA in Bihar. Will JD(U) help Congress form the government at Centre? Such talks are rubbish. But Congress recently praised you for secular credentials... I have said ‘thank you’. But Lalu never thanked Congress. I have never come across a person more ungrateful than Lalu. He gave Congress only three of the 40 Bihar seats. This despite the fact that Congress has been shielding him since 1997. Isn’t it embarrassing that JD(U) founder George Fernandes is fighting as an Independent? George Saheb khud apna embarrassment kar rahein hain . Haven’t you seen him? He can’t even communicate due to his failing health. Lalu says everyone aspires to become PM. Do you too? No, I don’t. I love to serve the nation from Bihar. I would look and sound ridiculous if I say I want to become PM. Lalu and Paswan are politicians who make noises. Before polls, they say they are PM material. After the polls, however, they fight for a choice portfolio.