Sushil Modi flays Nitish Kumar over cry for Bihar special status

PATNA: Singing an altogether different tune from Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who remains a strong votary of Bihar’s cry for special-category status, his one-time deputy and BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi backed the case of special package for the state, saying that the special-category status would fall short off addressing all the needs and concerns of the state.

"We are also in favour of special-category status but it will take care of only 5% of our problems and needs. What we need today is a Bihar Special Package of Rs 50,000 crore. This will accelerate the development process and help place Bihar in the rank of developed states in the next five years," Modi told reporters here on Thursday.

Slamming the chief minister who, he said, was talking of supporting a party which would accord special-category status , Modi said it was demeaning of him that he should be seen like seeking alms from the Centre in quest of special category.

"The chief minister has created an impression that the special-category status will be a panacea to all the ills plaguing Bihar. But I want to expose him on the special-category front. He is only creating a hype over the demand. The special status will only allow tax holiday on private investments , besides bringing down state share in centrally sponsored schemes. So, the special category will only have a limited role and Bihar special package will be more meaningful," he said.

The BJP, which till it remained part of the Nitish Kumar-led government, had actively supported the special-category demand of the ruling JD(U) and never pitched for a special package. But now that it snapped ties with the JD (U), the BJP has started speaking in disparate voices and instead lending much rhetoric muscle to its demand for special package.