GG News Bureau
Patna, 24th Feb. A resounding demand for the grant of special category status to Bihar reverberated within the assembly on Friday, spearheaded by Power Minister Bijendra Yadav, a key aide of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar within the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
Presenting his department’s budget, Minister Yadav urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to heed the long-standing plea or, at the very least, contemplate extending a “special economic package” to the state. He underscored Bihar’s significant strides despite limited resources and emphasized the state’s abundant potential in the power sector.
This appeal marks the first instance of such a demand since Nitish Kumar, the President of the Janata Dal (United) [JD(U)], realigned with the BJP-led NDA a month ago. Notably, Kumar has consistently championed this cause since assuming office as Chief Minister in 2005.
However, the Modi government has cited the 14th Finance Commission’s decision, under the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) rule, to eliminate the provision for special category status, contesting its feasibility.
In a show of unity, Minister Yadav’s call was backed by the presence of Nitish Kumar, along with Deputy Chief Ministers Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha, both prominent BJP leaders.
Yadav, a former JD(U) state president, seized the opportunity to express dissatisfaction with the rival Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) party. Without naming RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, he rebuked the party’s stance on claiming credit for past achievements and criticized their disparaging remarks against Nitish Kumar.
Asserting the constitutional mandate for the council of ministers to advise and support the Chief Minister, Yadav emphasized the due acknowledgment of leadership’s contributions to Bihar’s progress.
Moreover, Yadav took a swipe at Tejashwi Yadav’s lineage, reminding him of Nitish Kumar’s pivotal role in his political ascension, and highlighted perceived inconsistencies in the actions of Tejashwi’s father, Lalu Prasad, particularly his relationship with the Congress.
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