Nitish Kumar reiterates demand for special status for Bihar at key JD(U) meet

New Delhi: During a pivotal national executive meeting of the Janata Dal (United) in Delhi on Saturday, Bihar Chief Minister and party supremo Nitish Kumar renewed his call for special category status for Bihar. This demand comes at a critical juncture, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s BJP relies on the support of Kumar’s JD(U), which holds 12 seats in the newly elected Lok Sabha, to maintain power at the Centre.

Meeting attended by all JD(U) MPs

The meeting, chaired by Nitish Kumar and attended by all party MPs, including Union ministers and JD(U) leaders, resulted in significant decisions and demands. Party insiders revealed that the JD(U) reiterated its long-standing demand for special category status for Bihar. This demand, which has been a consistent agenda item for the party, was prominently featured in the political proposal presented during the meeting.

जनता दल (यूनाइटेड) के राष्ट्रीय अध्यक्ष सह माननीय मुख्यमंत्री श्री @NitishKumar जी दिल्ली में आयोजित जद (यू) राष्ट्रीय कार्यकारिणी की बैठक में शामिल होने पहुंचे।#JDU #NDA #NitishKumar #newdelhi #meeting pic.twitter.com/jCG4jYQeV5

— Janata Dal (United) (@Jduonline) June 29, 2024

Long pending demand of special status for Bihar 

The call for special status is not new; the Bihar Cabinet passed a resolution demanding it last year. Bihar’s politicians, including Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, have long advocated for this status, citing the state’s economic backwardness. Achieving special category status would significantly boost Bihar's share of tax revenues from the Centre, providing much-needed economic support.

Focus on increased reservation demands

In addition to special status, the JD(U) has demanded that the central government include increased reservations for Other Backward Classes, Extremely Backward Classes, Scheduled Castes, and Scheduled Tribes in the Ninth Schedule. This comes despite the Patna High Court setting aside the Bihar government’s decision to grant a 65 percent quota to backward classes based on the state’s first-ever caste survey.

Leadership and upcoming elections

The national executive expressed full confidence in Nitish Kumar’s leadership, resolving to approach the upcoming assembly elections under his guidance. The party plans to field candidates in the 2024 Jharkhand elections and is gearing up for a robust electoral battle. The meeting also stressed the importance of maintaining communication between ministers and grassroots workers to ensure effective dissemination of information about party programs.

Congratulating leadership for recent victories

In the political proposal, Nitish Kumar was congratulated for the party’s success in the recent Lok Sabha elections. The meeting also extended congratulations to PM Modi for the National Democratic Alliance's (NDA) victory in the Lok Sabha elections.