Even though the Raghuram Rajan panel report proposed to end the ‘special category’ criteria, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Wednesday hailed its suggestions as “an ideological victory” for the people of Bihar.
He guarded his cards on the political implications of the development for the 2014 Lok Sabha polls. A special category status for Bihar is Mr. Kumar’s chief poll plank. Before the National Democratic Alliance broke in Bihar, he had reportedly spoken of backing that party at the Centre, which fulfilled this demand.
“The special category status has been subsumed, but the panel has looked at the parameters of development afresh. After P. Chidambaram’s statement, there is no doubt that this is a positive step. The report is in the public domain. A new path has opened up and Bihar would be entitled to more Central help for development schemes. Most importantly, this is an ideological victory. The panel has accepted in principle that special efforts are required for backward states. Development is out right,” Mr. Kumar told a press conference here at the Janata Dal (United) office.
He pointed out that the panel had considered the parameter of per capita consumption to determine backwardness, although Bihar had suggested the income parameter. He vowed to take the “fight” to its logical end.
Asked if he considered it to be an all-party victory, Mr. Kumar remarked, “It is a people’s victory. However, I specially congratulate the JD (U) for making the special category status their party programme.”
Mr. Kumar said Bihar is reaping the fruits of a relentless campaign for special status. “We took 1.18 crore signatures and presented them to the Prime Minister. We staged ‘Adhikar’ rallies in Bihar last November and in New Delhi this March. Later, a committee of experts was formed headed by Chief Economic Advisor Raghuram Rajan [now RBI governor]. We did not speak only for Bihar, but for all backward States. The fight in Bihar had a national impact and changed the development discourse,” he said.
Mr. Kumar evaded a question on whether the JD (U) would support the Congress in light of the “positive” recommendations of the panel. The JD (U) is slated to hold a two-day camp on October 28 and 29, after which the party would hold talks and decide on its political strategy of the Lok Sabha, he said.
Mr. Kumar took a dig at his political rivals, including the Bharatiya Janata Party and Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad, for creating at atmosphere of “negativism” and “mocking” the demand.
Questioning the benefit of the report, former Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Modi tweeted, “Raghuram Rajan panel has in a way negated the very concept of special category status... khoda pahar nikli chuhiya [All that work for nothing].”
Mr. Prasad said there was nothing to rejoice about. He accused Mr. Kumar of misleading the people.
JD (U) supporters celebrated the report with the beating of drums at the party office.
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