Special status for Bihar a matter of right: Nitish

In a forceful message to the Centre, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today said that the special category status was a matter of "right" for Bihar and its people and not "begging for alms".

"The special category status demand is the right of people.....We are pursuing out rightful demand and not seeking the same as alms," he said at a public meeting here. In a stern warning to the UPA government, Kumar said that the people will teach those who are opposed to the special status demand a lesson in the 2014 general elections.

The chief minister, who has been undertaking nearly a month-long 'Adhikar Yatra' since September 19, said that the next government at the Centre would be formed by only that party which would grant special status to Bihar. Stating that the grant of special right was a must for allround development of Bihar, Kumar said that the measure will fast track development activities. "Whatever development has taken place in Bihar has taken place with the state funds," he claimed.

Once the special category status was accorded, then there would be additional funds at its disposal for pumping in development activities, he said.