'We tolerated Nitish Kumar's Hindi push for cordiality in I.N.D.I.A bloc,' says DMK leader TR Baalu

Baalu, when asked on exit of Nitish Kumar from I.N.D.I.A alliance, said it appeared that the Bihar CM had 'some issues' right from the beginning and there would not be any electoral 'damage' due to his move.

Chennai: JD(U) President and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said 'only Hindi should be spoken' and the party tolerated it for the sake of cordiality in I.N.D.I.A alliance, DMK leader T R Baalu said here on Sunday.

Speaking to reporters after holding seat sharing talks with Congress leaders here, Baalu, when asked on exit of Nitish Kumar from I.N.D.I.A alliance said it appeared that right from the beginning he had 'some issues' and there would not be any electoral 'damage' due to his move.

To a question about the Bihar Chief Minister's statement that 'nothing worked as per his plan in the I.N.D.I.A bloc,' Baalu asked: "What did he plan? He did not spell out any plan, he said only Hindi should be spoken and only that (message) remains."

Elaborating, Baalu, a Lok Sabha member said: "He (Nitish Kumar) said everyone should talk in Hindi. We tolerated it. Even then, we kept quiet, as a compromise, for the sake of cordiality in the alliance. It was said that English must not be spoken. This is an ordinary matter (hinting at politics). It is okay."

The DMK leader's reference made was to one of the I.N.D.I.A bloc meetings in which Nitish Kumar reportedly stressed on use of Hindi.