JD(U) to support Food Bill all the way: NK Singh

Rajya Sabha MP and JD(U) member NK Singh said that his party and Nitish Kumar would support the Food Security Bill, reports CNBC-TV18.

On whether the split in Bihar with the BJP was going to cost Nitish Kumar, Singh said, "Give Nitish Kumar the credit of being not only shrewd in terms of economic management but for also enlarging the ambit of his political power on the basis of a strong record of development. The decision that secularism was an aspect on which the party could not compromise was a well calculated one." Also Read: 'Food Security Bill to put pressure on public finances'
On the probable alignment with the UPA, Singh added, "We have the freedom and flexibility to consider each issue on its merits. Nitish was very vocal in his support of the Food Security Bill two years ago even before it became such an important issue for the central government."
Clarifying further, he said, "There may not be too many economic legislative agenda on which we are necessarily on the same page. We are yet to see the complete economic agenda."
While refusing to answer if the Congress will accept the JD(U)'s support on the Food Security Bill in lieu of according Bihar a special economy status, food and agricultural minister KV Thomas said the Bill would ensure that no state would be offered a raw deal.