A proposal emerging within the Congress at its chintan shivir in Jaipur to grant special state status to Bihar on Saturday heralded a tricky churning in the state’s fractious politics before the 2014 Lok Sabha polls as various parties fumbled for a gainful response.
Bihar’ ruling JD(U), widely believed to be regarded by the Congress as a potential future ally due to the regional party’s growing strains with its current ally BJP, appeared cagey to reports about Union minister Kapil Sibal’s proposal for granting Bihar CM and JD(U) stalwart Nitish Kumar’s long-standing demand. JD(U) leaders were taken aback by Mr Sibal’s proposal, which is yet to be ratified by the Congress leadership, and viewed it as a possible double-edged ploy to hijack the JD(U)’s potent poll plank and quicken its separation from the NDA. BJP leaders in Bihar saw in the Congress proposal hints of efforts for a Congress-JD(U) alliance and rejected it.
JD(U) MP Ali Anwar, a close associate of Mr Kumar, said, “The Congress-led government, which knows Bihar’s strong case and the people’s desires for special state status, should grant it without waiting for the polls and engaging in such bargaining tactics”.
Bihar panchayati raj minister Bhim Singh of the JD(U) said, “They (Congress) are honouring Bihar’s demand due to rising public pressure after several Union ministers supported this demand. This is a step further towards a victory for the sentiments of Bihar’s people. We will have it (special status) at all costs”. JD(U) MP Shivanand Tiwary said the Congress is “realising its mistakes and rectifying them”.