New Delhi: Setting aside his hostility towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar arrived here on Thursday to meet him and sought enhanced central assistance and special status for his state. Speaking to reporters after meeting the Prime Minister, Kumar said, “I discussed expectations we have for getting help and support for Bihar from the Centre.”
“Requested that there needs to be steps taken for improving condition of Bihar and sought special status for the state,” Kumar added. The JD-U leader further said, “The support which Bihar used to get under several policies have ended, in total Bihar has faced severe loss,” adding, “We have requested for the balance to be made.
However, Kumar’s party – the JD (U) – had earlier said that the meeting would be a routine thing as they will meet each other as the Chief Minister and the Prime Minister and not as Nitish and Modi. Kumar has himself said on several occasions in recent times after taking over reins of Bihar that he will have no hesitation in calling on Modi to discuss financial issues related to Bihar.
Kumar had shared tumultuous relationship with Modi for many years and JD(U) snapped ties with the BJP around two years back. Kumar had called off a dinner for visiting BJP leaders in June 2010 after a photograph of Modi, then Gujarat Chief Minister, had come to Bihar to attend the BJP national executive, appeared in local newspapers holding hand with the JD(U) leader.
Bureau Report
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