“Things will unfold slowly," was the response of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who is part of the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre, to the media's questions about the rejection of his demand for special category status for the state.
Speaking to journalists at the Bihar Assembly, Kumar, whose JD(U) is a key ally of the ruling NDA at the Centre, said, “You will get to know all things slowly, and slowly (sab kuchh dhire dhire jaan jaaiyega),” before flashing his trademark smile and rushing inside the House.
This statement came in response to the Union government’s announcement in Parliament on Monday, citing an inter-ministerial group report from 2012 that argued against Bihar’s eligibility for special category status.
The report stated that the state did not meet the National Development Council's criteria, which include factors like difficult terrain, low population density, a significant tribal population, strategic border location, economic and infrastructural backwardness, and non-viable state finances.
Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha, explained, “Earlier, the request of Bihar for Special Category Status was considered by an Inter-Ministerial Group (IMG) which submitted its Report on 30th March 2012. The IMG came to the finding that based on existing NDC criteria, the case for Special Category Status for Bihar is not made out.”
This rejection has stirred political tension in Bihar. JD(U) leaders, emphasizing a resolution passed at a national executive meeting post-Lok Sabha elections, maintain that they will continue to seek "special package and other types of help" from the Narendra Modi government. “Bihar could still get a lot from Narendra Modi government,” insisted a JD(U) leader.
However, opposition leaders in the state are critical. RJD president and Kumar’s arch-rival Lalu Prasad asserted that the JD(U) supremo should resign, claiming that Bihar has been taken for a ride. Kumar’s recent political manoeuvres, including abandoning the RJD-led Mahagathbandhan to rejoin the BJP-led NDA in January, have added to the complexity of the situation.
The demand for special status for Bihar dates back to 2000, following the creation of Jharkhand, which left Bihar without its mineral-rich, more urbanized, and industrialized areas. The demand intensified in 2010 with Kumar’s massive signature campaign during the UPA regime, where he pledged support to any government that granted special status to Bihar.