PUNE: In a veiled attack on RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today said young leaders owing their position in politics to their families were interested in acquiring a post quickly to "make money".
Without naming any party or leader, Kumar also criticised excessive use of the social media by political figures.
"They had no idea of what they actually stand for but believe in talking big", he said in a obvious reference to Opposition leader in the state assembly, Tejashwi Yadav, who has been attacking Kumar using a micro-blogging site.
"The role of youth in politics is very important. We learnt our ropes while we were students and I feel glad when I see youngsters taking an interest in politics. But looking around, we see so many young leaders who owe their position in politics to their families basically interested in acquiring a post in order to make money, a far cry from our times, " Kumar said.
The 28-year-old Tejashwi is younger son of RJD president Lalu Prasad and often refers to Kumar as "chacha" (uncle).
Kumar, who is also the national president of the Janta Dal (United), was addressing a function organised by the party's youth wing here.
He had resigned from his post last year following refusal of the RJD, which he was then having an alliance with, to pay heed to his concerns about corruption charges against Tejashwi Yadav, his then deputy.
The JD(U) chief later formed a new government with BJP, which came forward with an offer of unconditional support.
"I am delighted that this Yuva Sankalp (youth resolve) conference is being held on a day when we celebrate the anniversary of Sampoorna Kranti the call for total revolution by Loknayak Jaya Prakash Narayan, who had inspired many youngsters like myself to devote to public life", Kumar said.
Care must be taken not to get trapped in the prevailing culture of empty talk, he said.
"As you all know, there are political figures who excessively use social media and go on tweeting about things they do not even understand. They talk big but have no idea of what they stand for," Kumar said in an apparent reference to Tejashwi Yadav.
Kumar also exhorted party cadres to apprise the common people of his government's measures like prohibition and campaign against dowry and child marriage.
"Today is World Environment Day. Our party has been committed to environment conservation too as is evident from our drive for plantation of one crore trees across the state that was launched a few years ago," he said.
He said the Bihar government was making efforts to increase the forest cover in the state.