At Delhi's Ramlila Maidan rally, Bihar CM Nitish Kumar says Bihar will be kingmaker at Centre

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PTI: New Delhi, Mar 17 2013, 11:17 IST

Bringing to Delhi's Ramlila Maidan his battle for special status to Bihar, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today suggested that his support would be crucial for formation of next government at the Centre and JD(U), which is part of BJP-led NDA, was not averse to exploring other tie-ups.

"Either you give it (special status) now or after 2014, you will have to give it. You will have to accept the demand in circumstances that will be there after 2014. Only one, who feels about the backward, the backward states will occupy the seat of power in Delhi (Centre)," Kumar said addressing 'Adhikar' rally here, dubbed by many as a show of strength.

Alleging that his state has been "discriminated" against, the JD(U) leader said, "We do not have to see either to the left or to the right. We have to look straight."

"The government in Delhi (Centre) should be such, which looks after our interests," he said as the crowd broke into cheers.

His comments were being interpreted as an attempt to maintain equi-distance from both BJP as well as Congress ahead of the next general elections.

At the rally for which leaders of JD(U)'s key ally in Bihar BJP were not invited, Kumar launched a clear counter to Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi's development plank, saying his state would present the "real model" for progress

which takes everyone along.

"We will leave everyone behind and move ahead with development. And we will present a model before the world. These days development model is being discussed. This

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Reader's Comments (3)| Post a Comment

Fe Comment

Valluri Santosh | 20-Mar-2013Reply | Forward

How many you will win Sir without BJP support to dream being a king maker?

Nitish Adhikar

Prasad | 19-Mar-2013Reply | Forward

So another Bihari Netas is back at caste politics. Poverty cannot be distributed. One has to create wealth. It is no different than reservations. The richest state of India in terms of water resources and fertile land is most backward in agricultural production. Nitish Kumar is following the Congress method of bringing paid supporters by the truck/train load. Another Laloo in the making.

Adhikar rally

Surendra Prasad Yadav | 17-Mar-2013Reply | Forward

Have seen live broadcast of rally and heard very patiently what Nitish did say.Center must consider his demand for special status to Bihar and other states getting slower on development line. It is some thing like reservation granted to weaker sections of society. Bihar has ben laging on development front since 1st decade of independence.It is entirely because the state had leaders either not capable or without wisdom. Now at least a person Nitish has demanded its rightful share of developement. It must be fulfilled.As I foresee Bihar can again become Rice bowl of our country, if flood situation and water management is controlled effectively. In my opinion the government of Bihar must seek special funds this purpose,which requires massive work like dredging of all major rivers in north Bihar. These rivers have become shallow due to silt deposition from Nepal. They need to be made deeper and shorter in width. If the government takes the services of Engineers India Limited that is good.