Nitish Speaks: Why both UPA and NDA are afraid

New Delhi, March 18: Only time will tell whether Bihar will be accorded special status or not. But, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's rally in New Delhi on Sunday makes one thing clear that both UPA and NDA cannot ignore.

For the forthcoming General Elections slated in few months from now, both UPA and NDA cannot deny what Nitish is demanding. Both know in order to form the government at centre, support from Nitish Kumar and his party MPs of JD (U) is a must.

And, Nitish Kumar has made one thing clear in a subtle way, JD(U) will go with any coalition which agrees it to give special status.

"Budget mein vitta mantri ne jo kaha hai usmein hamein aasha ki kiran dikhayi deti hai... We see a ray of hope in what the finance minister has said in the budget," Nitish said. "Humko apna haq abhi de do, nahin toh Dilli kiske haath me hogi, iska faisla yeh apar janshakti kar degi... Give us our right, else people's power will decide who will rule Delhi," added Bihar CM.

"You have said you will change the criteria for special category status," Nitish said, addressing Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and finance minister P. Chidambaram directly. "This is not a promise made by individuals but by the government of India. I implore you to change the criteria, I implore you to give Bihar special status, this huge congregation of Biharis implores you."

However, the Nitish Kumar's rally brings more worries for NDA than UPA.

Of late, Bihar CM's equation with NDA is seeing a tough phase, as Nitish Kumar has openly expressed his reservation against Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi as NDA's Prime Ministerial candidate.

Moreover, Nitish Kumar has not mentioned anything against Congress-led UPA government. Be it its large-number of corruption cases or rise in prices during UPA II regime, Nitish smartly missed to touch upon those contentious issues which BJP (the main constituent of NDA and opposition party) often cry to attack the government.

OneIndia News