Amid the spirited campaign surrounding BJP poster boy Narendra Modi, Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar on Sunday declared that his party will be the key to forming the next government, and even hinted that his Janata Dal (United) would not shy away from exploring possible tieups outside the BJP-led NDA. In a veiled counter to the projection of the so-called “Gujarat model of development”, Mr Kumar, considered an arch-rival of Mr Modi, vowed to present a “real model” for progress that would be inclusive.
Appearing to train his guns at Mr Modi’s attempts to seek a larger role with his Gujarat development model, Mr Kumar, addressing an impressive “Adhikar rally” at the Ramlila Maidan here to demand special category status for Bihar, said: “We will leave everyone behind and move ahead with development. We will present a model before the world. These days development models are being discussed. This model is what takes everyone together. This is the real development model of India.”
Incidentally, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s official Twitter handle had spelt out facts on Saturday to support claims how earlier backward states were catching up with developed states with economic growth.
Clearly keeping political pundits busy with speculation about the aftermath of the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, Mr Kumar dropped a caveat, saying circumstances after the general election would compel the Centre to grant Bihar special category status as no government could be formed without the support of Bihar’s MPs. “Either you give special status (to Bihar) now, or after 2014 you will have to give it. You will have to accept the demand in the circumstances that will be there after 2014. Only one who feels about the backward, backward states will occupy the seat of power in Delhi,” said the Bihar CM.
The JD(U) had not invited any Bihar BJP leaders, with whom it shares power in the state, in a clear signal that he does not share the cause of Bihar with his alliance partner, making it his party’s exclusive campaign.
The “Adhikar rally” was also projected as a show of strength by Mr Kumar, for which several ministers from the JD(U) had been mobilising people in Delhi.
Playing the victim card, Mr Kumar also claimed Bihar had been “discriminated” against, and the CM therefore vowed: “We do not have to see either to the left or to the right, we have to look straight.”
Countering the claims by the Bihar CM, senior Congress leader Shakeel Ahmad hit back, saying Mr Kumar should desist from politicising the special category status issue. “Mr Kumar should reveal how much discrimination was done to the state during NDA rule,” he added.
The JD(U) leader dropped enough hints that his party may remain neutral towards both the Congress and BJP ahead of next year’s Lok Sabha elections. He, however, welcomed the Centre’s proposal to change the criteria for backwardness as well as special category status. He also attempted to position himself as leader of all backward states, saying if Bihar was given special category status, it would help other such states too. “The time has come to bring together people of all backward regions so that the real development of the country can be ensured,” he said.