Nitish Kumar's dreams dashed as Modi govt denies Bihar’s special status

In the Lok Sabha elections, the BJP secured 240 seats, falling short of the majority threshold of 272. It is reliant on the backing of Telugu Desam Party and JD(U), which together have 28 members in the lower house. In addition to JD(U), the TDP, led by Chandrababu Naidu, has also called for Andhra Pradesh, which was split into two states in 2014

Edited By: Top Indian News Desk

Last Updated : 22 July 2024, 08:42 PM IST

ANI

New Delhi: JD(U) takes major hit as the center claims it can’t grant The Inter-Ministerial Group (IMG) report from 2012 states that Bihar cannot be awarded special status. This decision was made by the Narendra Modi-led NDA government on Monday, severely hurting Nitish Kumar's Janata Dal (U), a crucial BJP ally. Another factor is that JD(U) came into the NDA alliance on the condition of special status for Bihar. The opposition party RJD commented on the note, criticising the state government of Bihar.

"बिहार को नहीं मिलेगा विशेष राज्य का दर्जा!"
- संसद में मोदी सरकार।

नीतीश कुमार और JDU वाले अब आराम से केंद्र में सत्ता का रसास्वादन करते हुए 'विशेष राज्य के दर्जे' पर ढोंग की राजनीति करते रहें! pic.twitter.com/lpd8oIKEda
— Rashtriya Janata Dal (@RJDforIndia) July 22, 2024

JD(U)'s aspiration crumbles down

Union minister of state for finance Pankaj Chaudhary responded in writing to Jhanjharpur Lok Sabha MP Ramprit Mandal, saying, "The National Development Council (NDC) had previously awarded the Special Category Status for plan assistance to certain States that were distinguished by a number of features requiring special consideration. These characteristics were (i) a hilly and challenging topography, (ii) a low population density and/or a sizable portion of the tribal population, (iii) a strategically located location along borders with neighboring nations, (iv) a backward state in terms of infrastructure and economy, and (v) the financially unviable state."

More on the decision

The decision was made after taking into account the unique circumstances of the State as well as all of the previously mentioned factors. Previously, an Inter-Ministerial Group (IMG) examined Bihar's bid for Special Category Status and delivered a report on March 30, 2012. The minister continued, "The IMG concluded that the case for Bihar's Special Category Status is not made out based on the current NDC criteria. Ahead of the Parliamentary session on Sunday, the JD(U), which has long demanded that Bihar be granted special status, reaffirmed this demand.

Final verdict

In the Lok Sabha elections, the BJP secured 240 seats, falling short of the majority threshold of 272. It is reliant on the backing of Telugu Desam Party and JD(U), which together have 28 members in the lower house. In addition to JD(U), the TDP, led by Chandrababu Naidu, has also called for Andhra Pradesh, which was split into two states in 2014 and given the name Telangana, to have a special status.