Modi doesn't announce special package for Bihar

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday failed to announce a special package for Bihar.

Contrary to the hype created by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its allies here, Modi remained silent over the promised special package at his election rally here.

Modi has promised a special package of more than Rs.50,000 crore to the state for its economic development.

The ruling Janata Dal-United has time and again demanded special status for Bihar, saying the state's per capita income, investment and consumption of electricity were among the lowest in India.

Modi also did not respond to Nitish Kumar's request to "please consider taking back" his comments on his (Nitish Kumar's) so-called DNA.

Last week, in an open letter, Nitish Kumar said Modi's July 25 remark questioning his DNA was widely seen as an "insult" by large sections of the people of the state and beyond.

"Most of us feel that these statements, beyond questioning my own descent, have disrespected the lineage of our people and have denigrated the great legacy of the state," he said.

He urged Modi to take back the comment.

Addressing a public meeting in Muzaffarpur, Modi had said: "There seems to be some problem in his (Nitish Kumar's) DNA because the DNA of democracy is not like that. In democracy, you give respect even to your political rivals."