Let BJP declare they are against black magic, why accuse me of it: Nitish (ANI Exclusive)

Patna, Oct.29 (ANI): Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Thursday strongly refuted suggestions of him being attracted to black magic, or practitioners of it, and added that if the BJP was so concerned about his meeting with a tantric last year, it should openly and categorically declare that it had nothing to do with it, or with ascetics and hermits.

"These days, Modi ji is meeting so many people, that each and every detail is there on the social media. Why does he meet the Sadhus? Why is he raising the issue of the Ram Mandir? They have accused me of using black magic. So, he and the BJP should first declare that they are against black magic," Nitish told ANI in an exclusive interview here.

"I never went of my own volition to the tantric. How am I in danger? One of my supporters said to me that he has faith in the tantric and wanted me to see him. I said I am ready to meet him and there is no need to bring him here to Patna," Nitish said further.

"This episode took place one-and-a-half years ago in Patna. He was an 'Aghod' and naturally, as expected, spoke in the language of an Aghod. I kept on listening and smiling to whatever he was saying. What they (BJP) have released is an image taken from the mobile phone of one of our MLCs - Neeraj Kumar," he added.

"Had I gone to see the tantric without anyone's knowledge, I would have told the MLC not to click the photo. I had no objection and kept on listening to him (tantric).Have you seen me saying something in that footage-that, 'Baba, I am in a spot of bother, save me and destroy my enemies,'" the Bihar chief minister said.

"I sat there for some time and kept on listening to him. What he was speaking about Lalu ji one-and-a half-years ago, after that only, we (me and Lalu) formed the alliance. What does the BJP want to prove? Can't we even meet people? I have no objection if an Aghod greets me and showers his love upon me," he said.

The June 2014 video shows Nitish Kumar being hugged by a tantrik who also says 'Lalu murdabad'.

Residents of the Bhavnauli Mathia village of the Mairwa block in Siwan District have identified the tantric as Baba Birnath Aghori, who had come to the village in 2011 and later settled down there despite their reluctance.

They also said that he is a Muslim and belonged to Motipur village in Deoria District of Uttar Pradesh.