"Singh's statement might have been taken as my endeavour to make a case for myself as NDA's prime ministerial candidate which is not the case," Kumar said adding he had ruled himself out of the race and had consistently said the post should go to the largest constituent of an alliance at the centre.
"I came to know of the statement from a newspaper story and promptly pulled up the minister and directed him to retract the statement, which he has done," he told reporters here.
The retractment of statement by Singh would be a 'lesson' for all those making statements without taking prior approval from their leaders, Kumar said.
Singh had publicly expressed regret for pitching for projecting Kumar as NDA's prime ministerial candidate yesterday, a day after making the statement.
The minister had also candidly admitted that he was rebuked by the chief minister and asked to withdraw his statement.