BJP seeks Nitish's support for railway blockade

The BJP Saturday sought the support of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and his JD-U for the Feb 28 railway blockade, in return for supporting a shutdown called by the government March 2 protesting the denial of special category status to the state.

"I appeal to Nitish Kumar to support our railway blockade. In return, we will support his shutdown," Bharatiya Janata Party leader and former deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi told media persons here.

It is first time after the Janata Dal-United (JD-U) ended its 17-year alliance with the BJP last year that the party has publicly requested Nitish Kumar for his support.

Modi said BJP workers will block rail tracks across the state and disrupt train movement protesting the neglect of Bihar by the central government.

Nitish Kumar had Friday called a shutdown in Bihar March 2 to protest the denial of special category status, and appealed to the people to support the protest.

The JD-U leader accused the central government of deliberately denying the status to Bihar.

"I expect that all political parties extend their support to the shutdown," he said.

Nitish Kumar wanted to know why Bihar was being discriminated against, if Seemandhara - the residual state of Andhra Pradesh after the formation of Telangana - could get special category status within days of parliamentary turmoil.

"It is a clear cut case of injustice to Bihar. It is very unfortunate," he said, adding that the special status was a must to develop an economically backward state like Bihar.