Narendra Modi-led NDA government has been ruling out `Special Category Status’ further to any state stating that it was a `closing chapter’. Though constant demands have been surfacing particularly from Bihar, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha, where the state governments are mostly cooperative with the center, the Prime Minister seen adamant in this regard.
However, after BJP failed to get absolute majority in the Lok Sabha and Modi’s government survival dependent upon the crucial support extended by TDP and JDU, the `special status’ demands are likely once again to corner Prime Minister.
Taking a lead in this regard, the national executive meeting of the Janata Dal (United), presided by the party supremo and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar resolved to push for special category status for the state.
The call for special category status for Bihar assumes significance at this time because Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s BJP relies on support from Kumar’s JD(U), which holds 12 seats in the newly elected Lok Sabha, to maintain power at the Centre.
JD(U) insiders revealed that the party has resolved to seek special category status for Bihar, a long-standing demand, from the central government. The demand was reiterated in the political proposal presented during the meeting. A special financial package for the state may also be sought.
This comes after the Bihar Cabinet passed a resolution demanding special status for the state last year. Bihar’s politicians, including Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, have long advocated for special category status, citing the state’s economic backwardness. Achieving this status would boost the state’s share of tax revenues from the Centre.
Moreover, Bihar is going to assembly polls in October, 2025, the demand for `Special Status’ is likely to get momentum. On the otherhand, though TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu so far did not revived his demand for `Special Status’ before the Modi government, he is making it clear that in 2018 the prime reason for their from NDA was on this issue only.
Meanwhile, YCP Rajya Sabha member Golla Babu Rao in his maidan speech in Rajya Sabha on Saturday, participating in debate on resolution thanking President’s address, raised this issue. He recalled that before bifurcating Andhra Pradesh into two states on June 2, 2014, the Rajya Sabha has accepted to accord `Special Status’ to Andhra Pradesh.
However, he deplored that even after 10 years this was not accorded and issues related to bifurcation were not settled. He urged the Modi government to reconsider its stand on `Special Status’. Stating that the new government in Andhra Pradesh is now a crucial part of the NDA at the center, so he urged Modi government to extend helping hand for the development of the state.