Bihar: Civil Services examination question refers governors as 'katputli'

Patna : Students appearing for the civil services examination in Bihar were left amused and shocked with a question that referred governors of states as a "katputli (puppet)".

The question was in the General Knowledge paper of the main examination and asked students to "Critically examine the role of the Governor in state politics of India, especially in the context of Bihar. Is he just a puppet?"

Bihar Public Service Commission officials quickly rubbed themselves off from the controversy, blaming the teachers who had set the question paper. However, they maintained that there is nothing wrong with the question while words like katputli could have been avoided.

Bihar, which is ruled by an alliance led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's Janata Dal (United) and the BJP, votes in state elections next year.

Relations between the allies are at a low point after the BJP offered only ministerial berth to each ally after its win in the Lok Sabha election in April-May. The offer upset Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, whose party won 16 of 17 seats it contested.