New Delhi, July 15
Railway Minister and Samata Party leader Nitish Kumar today ruled out taking back his resignation despite pleas by his party President and NDA Convener, George Fernandes in this regard.

Although Mr Fernandes expressed the hope that his party colleague would take back his resignation, Mr Nitish Kumar termed his decision as “carefully considered, irreversible and guided by conscience.”

Asked if he was confident that Mr Nitish Kumar would take back his resignation, Mr Fernandes said, “Confidence is one thing and desire is another. It is not a question of reconciliation. It is a question of withdrawal of resignation. I will speak him again.”

Mr Fernandes told mediapersons here today that he had had a 45-minute telephonic conversation with Mr Nitish Kumar after the Prime Minister informed him of the latter’s resignation. “I tried to persuade Mr Nitish Kumar to reconsider his decision, but he was not prepared to listen. I told the Prime Minister that I would try to dissuade Mr Nitish Kumar. There is no person in the party who can replace him as Railway Minister,” Mr Fernandes said.

After tendering his resignation to the Prime Minister on Monday, Mr Nitish Kumar did not attend office at Rail Bhavan today.

Mr Nitish Kumar said internal differences in the parliamentary party had compelled him to resign. Justifying his decision, he said two party MPs had levelled allegations of corruption against him.

“It is against the party’s constitution to make unsubstantiated allegations against party colleagues. What have they not said against me? If two MPs are expelled for doing so and three others raise the issue at a meeting of the National Council to revoke the expulsion order, five MPs turn against me.