NDA doing 'politics' over special status to Bihar: Manjhi

Patna, Dec 1: With Union minister Ramvilas Paswan saying that special status to Bihar would be accorded only after NDA comes to power in the state, Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi today charged the Centre with being "insincere" and only indulging in "politics" over the matter.

"If it is so then why did Narendra Modi promise during his Parliamentary poll campaign in the state that if his government comes to power it will provide Bihar special status, special package as well special attention?" Manjhi asked reporters. Paswan, who is President of Lok Janshakti Party (LJP), an ally of BJP, had yesterday said special status would be given to Bihar when NDA comes to power after Assembly polls next year and creates favourable conditions.

"Even if the status is given, it is of no use because the JD(U) government has failed to develop infrastructure in the state for it," Paswan had said in a reaction to JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar raising the special status issue during his recently concluded 'Samparak yatra'. Launching a blistering attack at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Manjhi said, "On the basis of empty promises he swayed voters of Bihar in the general elections and is doing the same in Jharkhand now."

"Unke bhulabe me mat aayea (don't be hoodwinked by them)," the Bihar CM said emerging from the 'Janata ke Darbar me Mukhya Mantri' programme. Manjhi said JD(U) under the leadership of former Chief Minister Nitish Kumar was sincerely fighting for special status and would win it "with or without the support of BJP."

The Bihar CM said the special status would be a prominent issue which he would raise at the conference of Chief Ministers of Northern states called by the PM on December 7 in Delhi. "Besides, special status, I will also use the opportunity to raise the issues of lowering the fund under MGNREGA, reducing target for Indira Awas Yojna from 6 lakh to 2.40 lakh now and reimbursement of Rs 1000 crore spent by Bihar for repair of national highways in the state during the chief ministership of Nitish Kumar," he said.

PTI