Congress more responsible of Bihar's backwardness: Modi

Patna, Mar 25: Bihar Deputy Chief Minister S K Modi today said that Congress was more responsible than the Lalu Prasad-led RJD for the state's backwardness.

"Congress is more responsible than RJD for the state's backwardness. Faulty policies of the former Congress governments at Centre and in Bihar aggravated the state's backwardness," Modi said while replying to a debate on the budgetary demands totalling to Rs 65,325.87 crore for the period 20011-12 in the state assembly.

Welcoming the suggestion of RJD leader Abdul Bari Siddiqui in the house, Modi said the state government would not hesitate to launch an agitation to press for the ''legitimate and justified'' demand for according the special state status to Bihar.

"We will also take cooperation from the opposition parties to exert pressure on the centre to realise the demand," he said.

Modi said Bihar deserved the special state status because it met four out of five criteria laid down by the planning commission and Centre for the purpose.

Modi said Centre should also fully compensate the loss of properties, crops and lives caused every year due to floods in the state caused by rivers originating in Nepal.

The budgetary demands and related appropriation bills were later passed by voice vote in the house.

PTI