Bihar Chief Minister, Nitish Kumar wrote a letter to the Prime Minister reviving his demand to grant the special category status and special assistance to Bihar. His move of demanding the special status is also being seen as a tactful step towards being a possible consensus candidate of the anti-BJP block to challenge the PM in general election 2019.
A person close to Kumar said to ET that, Kumar’s demand for special category status to Bihar will put him in a politically advantageous position. “If he emerges as the main face of a possible anti-BJP block, he will be in position to target the PM, who had made several promises including a special package of Rs 1.25 lakh crore during his campaign in the 2012 assembly polls.” he further added.
Nitish began his letter to the PM with, the governments achievements during his ongoing rule in the state. “In the last 12 years, state government has been working diligently for the all round development of Bihar so that the state can also stand along the developed states,” it said.
While, on one hand his demand for special category for Bihar is considered to be Kumar’s weapon against the BJP, on the other hand it is also being regarded as his return as an ally with the NDA.
Another person said to ET that, if his demand for special status is fulfilled, it will boost Nitish’s image as “Sushasan Babu” (good governance).
He may emerge as a possible consensus candidate of the anti-BJP block to challenge the PM, even as he chose to meet Modi and skip the lunch hosted by Congress president Sonia Gandhi. But BJP-led government at the Centre is unlikely to accept to this demand without looking for its own political benefit.
For the time being Nitish Kumar is said to be waiting to see the outcome of the ongoing attempts to forge unity among opposition parties ahead of the 2019 polls to take on PM Modi.