Two days after Dr Manmohan Singh took over as the country?s Prime Minister in his second term, Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar sought an ?early appointment? with the PM to discuss ?special status? for Bihar.
Kumar had created a flutter in political circles by announcing on May 15 that the demand for special status should be the basis of support to the Central government for all Bihar parties. Several Congress leaders had loudly agreed to Kumar?s suggestion, stoking speculation of a Nitish-Congress deal.
In a letter to the PM written on Sunday, Kumar congratulated Dr Singh for becoming PM and wished him ?every success in a challenging endeavour?.
Drawing the PM?s attention to the need to ?mitigate growing regional inequalities?, Nitish reminded him of the special Kosi package and sought the Centre?s help in setting up agro-based industries, and starting 14 approved thermal power projects.
The CM wrote: ?We request you to set up a task force under your principal secretary to monitor implementation and keep you informed of the progress?.
Nitish Kumar made special mention of the demand for special status to Bihar. He wrote: ?Special status may be accorded to Bihar given its poor infrastructure, low tax base, low per capita development expenditure and high poverty density?.