Click to play videoNew Delhi: All eyes are on the Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar who plays a key role in post poll politics as the judgment day approaches.
Personally, Nitish Kumar has not exhibited any eagerness to second his own candidature for the PM’s post.
“I do not consider as a candidate in the race to the post as high and significant as that of the Prime Minister's. I do not deserve it and I harbour no such ambitions,” Kumar told reporters.
He may have opted to not run in the race to become PM, but Nitish Kumar knows he is in the reckoning as the biggest prize catch in Election 2009.
He may have planted his feet in NDA terrain for now, but in a messy post-poll scenario, he can head for another destination. That's why he sought to make a case for additional development funds for Bihar.
“Who ever form the next government, whichever party comes to power, all we demand is that Bihar be given the status of a special state,” Nitish Kumar said.
His demand received an immediate favourable response from an eager Congress, causing some anxiety in the NDA camp.”
“Nitish Kumar should first explain what he means by the word special status state. As far as the Congress goes, our party has always considered Bihar important and given funds. We gave five times the amount that the NDA alliance government did.
Current ally, the BJP had no choice but to hastily assert that it was with Nitish on the special status issue.
“It is very well understood as to which alliance can fulfill the dreams of a state under the special status. Nitish knows it very well too,” said
With Nitish grabbing centre stage, the Fourth Front has perked up their response.
Ramvilas Paswan said, “This is an election drama of Nitish Kumar. This idea of special status state is in selfish interest and not at all because they wish good for Bihar.”
Even if Nitish doesn't cross over to the UPA, he'll extract a price from the NDA for staying on.
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