JD(U) will play a crucial role in government formation at Centre in '14: Nitish Kumar

Reiterates his demand for special status for Bihar; the state has 40 Lok Sabha seats

No government can be formed at the Centre in 2014 by ignoring Bihar’s demand for special status, said Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.

Addressing a massive rally at the Ramlila Maidan in Delhi, he reiterated his demand for special status for Bihar. He said his party, Janata Dal (United), would play a crucial part in the government formation at the Centre. He also asked his supporters to prepare for the general elections in 2014 so that the party that forms government is forced to listen to the people of Bihar. The state has 40 Lok Sabha seats.

“We have to be prepared for the 2014 general elections. Either the Union government give special status to Bihar immediately or else we will definitely get it after the 2014 election. The person who feels for the underdeveloped will form the government in Delhi. The person who listens to people of Bihar should form the government at Centre,” said Kumar.

The mega rally is seen as an attempt by the Bihar CM to counter the popularity of Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi. With naming Modi, Kumar said the ‘real model of development’ is to fight for the rights of the under-developed and to take everyone on board without differentiating people on the basis of caste or religion.

Kumar has long been demanding special status for the state. Although Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was initially reluctant, Finance Minister P Chidambaram recently said the Centre would have a relook on the issue.

According to Kumar, Bihar is not demanding special status for its own benefits. A change in the rules and policies of the Union government will also benefit other backward states that are trying to develop at a faster rate, said Kumar.

“Development is our right. Why can’t people of Bihar develop? Why do they don’t have access to better education, infrastructure and employment? We will not rest till Bihar gets special status. There are more than 105 million people in Bihar and political leaders sitting in Delhi should recognise this strength. If all the under-developed states come together, who will be in power in Delhi?” Kumar asked.