Patna (Bihar) [India], March 22 (ANI): Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha responded to Tejashwi Yadav's criticism of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar over the national anthem controversy and dismissed Yadav's call for Kumar to retire, alleging that the RJD leader was trying to shift focus from the ongoing ED raids against his parents.

'If he (Tejashwi Yadav) has so much love for the national anthem, then he should stop giving tickets to traitors... CM Nitish Kumar has always shown his awareness in the context of the nation. But the fact is that he (Tejashwi Yadav) is raising such issues to divert attention from the ED raid on his parents... These are people doing cheap politics,' Sinha said.

Sinha also pointed out that when RJD and JD(U) were in an alliance, Yadav had no complaints against Nitish Kumar, but now he was questioning his leadership.

'When both (RJD and JD(U)) were in power together, he (Tejashwi Yadav) was finding him (Nitish Kumar) fine... What kind of double politics is this?... The public will decide who is in the interest of Bihar and who is against the interests of Bihar,' he added.

Earlier on Friday, Tejashwi Yadav condemned Nitish Kumar for allegedly talking and gesturing during the national anthem, calling it an act of disrespect.

Speaking to the media, Yadav said, 'Bihar CM Nitish Kumar disrespected the national anthem yesterday and being a 'Bihari,' I feel ashamed...The Chief Minister is the leader of the state, and yesterday's incident is very unfortunate.'

He further demanded an apology from Nitish Kumar, calling it an unprecedented act in Indian politics.

'This is the first incident in the history of Indian politics that a Chief Minister has disrespected the national anthem. Bihar CM Nitish Kumar should apologise to the public of the nation. The leaders of BJP only do drama, where are the two deputy CMs of Bihar? Bihar CM Nitish Kumar should retire,' Yadav added. (ANI)