Don't politicise Bihar financial package: Congress

NEW DELHI: Rejecting speculation that the UPA government is reaching out to NDA ally JD-U by granting special financial package to Bihar, Congress today said the issue should not be seen from the prism of politics.

"Not at all. No body should try to politicise it. Government of India takes such decision on the basis of set principles. This issue related to Bihar should not be seen from the point of view of Congress plans to ally with any particular party. This should not be linked with politics," party spokesperson Rashid Alvi told reporters here.

His remarks came after BJP spokesperson Rajiv Pratap Rudy alleged that "possibly" the Central government is playing the "Bihar card" at this juncture as it is in a "critical state".

Alvi stoutly rejected contentions of a political realignment to be the reason behind the Centre working on a special economic package for backward states including Bihar.

"If any Chief Minister makes a request to the Centre in this regard, the government considers it as per rules. If the government has taken any decision or is considering any such thing for Bihar, it will also be done on the basis of norms and well-laid out principles," the Congress spokesperson said.

When asked about Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's recent overtures to the Congress, its general secretary Digvijay Singh had yesterday said he would personally opt for Lalu Prasad instead of Kumar as the RJD leader is a more "dependable ally."