Patna: Chief minister Nitish Kumar on Monday criticised Union minister Giriraj Singh's meeting those arrested on charges of fanning communal strife in Nawada district.

He asserted that there would be no compromise on communalism and the state government would not tolerate any attempt to disturb communal harmony.

"This is not a good thing. There can be no compromise on this. An aggrieved person can always go to court but giving reactions while the police investigations are going on cannot be justified. It is unacceptable," Nitish said without taking the name of Giriraj, who represents the Nawada Lok Sabha constituency.

The chief minister was speaking to journalists on the sidelines of his Lok Samvad (public interaction) programme at 1 Aney Marg, his official residence, and he was peppered with questions about the efficacy of administration and law and order handling by the state government.

He also took a jab - in his no-names style - at the Union minister's penchant for triggering controversies.

"Some persons also speak for publicity. If they say simple things, nobody will publish it," Nitish said.

He also pointed at another other side of the controversy: "If a person who is believed to be strong and important criticises the state government, it shows that the government is doing its job well and the rule of law is prevailing."

Deputy chief minister and senior BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi was by Nitish's side, and the chief minister's words could be interpreted as a signal to his alliance partner.

Giriraj, who had met the jailed accused and their family members over the weekend, had termed the police action against them as "wrong" and had vowed to ensure justice for them.

Nitish said that he was nobody to curb anybody's personal opinion, and that curbing any leader's speech or words was the internal matter of any political party.