Spl status to Bihar discussed in the state assembly

Patna, Apr 4: Majority of members, cutting across party lines, today supported in the assembly a debate on the proposal for according special state category to Bihar.

Initiating the debate during pre-lunch session, BJP's Rampravesh Rai said the condition of Bihar was 'deplorable' on all fronts despite having plenty of resources and talent pool.

He said, ''This is the land of Buddha who had propagated the message of peace and knowledge and emanated light of democracy. It was lack of will power of the political parties that took the state to its nadir.'' Participating in the special debate, RJD's Abdul Bari Siddiqui said the Centre's 'step-motherly' treatment to Bihar had pushed it to the back benches.

He appealed to the political leaders to strive for the cause of the state and exhorted the members of the Lower House to cooperate in the mission, shunning all political grievances.

Bihar fulfilled all criterion laid for according special category to any state, he said adding that it shared international border with Nepal and Bangladesh and its economic condition was in a shambles.

The problem would not be solved just by labelling allegations on any government, Mr Siddiqui said and maintained that the political leaders should give up double standards.

Mr Siddiqui's party colleague Shakuni Choudhry too appealed to the leaders to put extra efforts for according special state category to Bihar.

BJP leader Amarendra Pratap Singh and RJD leader Ramchandra Purvey shared their view on the issue during the debate, which would continue during the post-lunch session.

UNI