Nitish trashes Lalu Yadav's charge on special status demand

BHAGALPUR: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today refuted that he had opposed the special category status demand made by his predecessor Rabri Devi and said the charge against him by RJD chief Lalu Prasad was a lie.

"Prasad is lying when he says that I had opposed the special status demand made by my predecessor Rabri Devi," he told a public meeting during 'Adhikar Yatra' at Bhagalpur district.

Kumar, however, did not elaborate his stand on the special status demand by previous Rabri Devi government which had sought compensation for loss of financial resources arising out of the bifurcation of Bihar.

Lashing out at Prasad for finding holes in the performance of the NDA government, he said RJD had done nothing "worthwhile" for the state during its 15-year-rule under Prasad and wife Rabri Devi.

On the RJD chief's ongoing 'Parivartan Yatra', Kumar wondered what change Prasad was trying to bring about. "Does he want to revive the kidnapping industry?"

He also criticised his bete noire Prasad for his mimicry and said statecraft does not allow such 'pranks'.

Tight security was in place for the rally in view of the violence and demonstrations faced by Kumar during his 'Adhikar Yatra' programme in other parts of the state.

A large number of policemen were deployed at various points to maintain law and order, official sources said.

Some people carrying black cloths and umbrellas were prevented from entering the venue to rule out the possibility of showing of black flag to the chief minister, the sources said.

Only those JD(U) supporters carrying identity cards were allowed in, the sources added.