Nitish sets terms, Bihar special status a factor for support

Setting his terms, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Friday said special status for Bihar would be the deciding factor on whom to support in government formation inviting a quick response from both the Congress and BJP who indicated they may oblige.

"At a time when every party and pre-poll alliance is claiming that it would form government in Delhi, I ask parties in Bihar to make it a pre-condition for support that whichever party or alliance comes to power will provide special category status to Bihar," said Mr. Kumar, leader of the JD(U) a key NDA constituent being wooed by the Congress and the Left.

Mr. Nitish's comments seen as a blow to the BJP-led NDA alliance in the backdrop of his steadfast assertions that he was and will remain with the NDA comes at a time when the three major political formations are making a frenzied bid to ensure they have the numbers for government formation.

Mr. Nitish was speaking after release of a monograph 'Special Category Status: A Case for Bihar', endorsed by him and released by renowned economist Lord Meghnad Desai.

"I request all parties to make it a pre-condition that the basis for their support will be conferring special category status to Bihar....We have a good opportunity at hand (for a bargain in a hung house)," Mr. Nitish said.

The BJP sought to read Mr. Nitish's statement in its favour by hinting that as the two parties were in alliance in the state, NDA government at the Centre was more likely to provide special package to Bihar.

The Congress also indicated its willingness to accept Mr. Nitish's demand.link