Patna: Chief minister Nitish Kumar on Monday sided with the RSS over the controversy generated by its chief Mohan Bhagwat's remark about faster battle readiness in comparison to the army.

"I don't think there could be any dispute if any citizen or citizen's organisation shows enthusiasm and readiness about defending the borders of the country. What is wrong if any such organisation says that it will be ready to defend the country within three days?" said Nitish, who till mid-2017 had been pitching for a Sangh- mukt Bharat (RSS-free India).

Nitish, however, added that he did not know the entire issue and Bhagwat's exact comments, and had come to know about it only when journalists queried about them.

The chief minister was speaking on the sidelines of his Lok Samvad (public interaction) programme at his 1 Aney Marg official residence.

Bhagwat, addressing an RSS meeting in Muzaffarpur on Sunday, had said: "We will be immediately ready if the country needs us or the Constitution or the law permits. Preparing an army takes six to seven months, but we will be ready in two to three days. This is our capability and discipline that sets us apart."