Nitish Kumar breaks down while talking about George Fernandes. (Photo: video grab /ANI) Nitish Kumar breaks down while talking about George Fernandes. (Photo: video grab /ANI)

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Tuesday broke down while speaking on the demise of former Union minister George Fernandes.

Remembering Fernandes, Kumar said, “A new party was formed under his leadership and guidance. His guidance has always taught us a lot. His vision has always influenced the way we work for people today.” He said that it is certain that everyone has to depart. “Given his condition, his death is a kind of deliverance for him. It would be my resolve not to forget his guidance and his fight for the rights of the people.”

#WATCH Patna: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar breaks down while talking about #GeorgeFernandes pic.twitter.com/dJQqykTFxy — ANI (@ANI) January 29, 2019

Former Bihar Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi, however, taunted Nitish Kumar for his emotional outpourings over the death of George Fernandes, attributing these to the regret that the latter might be feeling for having denied a Lok Sabha ticket to his mentor towards the end of his political career, reported PTI. “I do not have a way with words like Nitish Kumar has. But having known him at close quarters, I cannot help wondering whether his tears were caused by just sorrow or the regret over having snubbed the veteran, depriving him of a chance to serve the people of his constituency for the last time,” PTI reported Manjhi as saying.

Fernandes was a senior party colleague of Nitish Kumar. They had founded the Samata Party in 1994 after they both parted ways with the Janata Dal. Nitish Kumar later formed the Janata Dal (United). Fernandes merged his Samata Party with the JD(U) in 2003.

Fernandes, a former Union minister and nine-time Lok Sabha MP, passed away Tuesday morning at the age of 88 following a prolonged illness. He had been bedridden for the past few years.

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