Give Bihar special status and we will support PM Modi, says Manjhi

Bihar Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi on Saturday said that he will become a supporter of Prime Minister Narendra Modi if the Central government agrees to give his state special status.

"If he [Prime Minister Modi] fulfils his commitment to provide special category status to Bihar and clears our other demands like reimbursing the money spent by the state government to repair the national highway, I will become his supporter," Manjhi said at the commercial launch of an NTPC power plant here.

Manjhi further called for water from the Ganga to be diverted to the southern parts of the state for agricultural purposes.

"Ganga water should be used in South Bihar to increase agricultural production, so that people get food. The latest technologies should be there, but first we need food in our stomach," he said.

Manjhi further called for development in the state and hailed the fact that seven members from Bihar had been inducted into the Union Cabinet, referring to them as his 'seven brothers'.

"I urge my seven brothers in New Delhi to help Bihar develop," he said.