Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Tuesday pointed out that his consistent demand for special status to Bihar should not be construed as personal ambition to take any credit.
He also said the State Government was running smoothly and there was no reason to speculate about any division with the ruling ally, BJP, as the demand for special category is being raised with mutual consensus.
Earlier, after returning from Delhi, the CM told mediapersons that the DMK`s withdrawal of support from the UPA would not have any effect on the Government as the Congress is master in 'jugadu technology'. Kumar remarked, "I have a gut feeling that the lok Sabha elections will be held on time."
He added that in order to survive, the Government has to concede to demands of the DMK, adding that sentiments of Tamils should be respected. "Since Sri lanka is a neighbouring country, we should maintain good relationship with it too," he added.
In the post-lunch session of the Assembly, when leader of Opposition Abdul Bari Sidiqqui raised the issue of special status during a debate on the third Supplementary Budget, Kumar said that since the Bihar Assembly had passed a unanimous resolution in favour of special status, he is raising the matter at all appropriate places.
"People of Bihar will neither rest quietly nor will allow others to take rest until the State is granted special status," he stated, adding that the fight for special category has entered into an interesting phase.
"We have the experiences of coordination committees and know their fate too. Hence, instead of making any such an attempt, I, as a leader of the House, have taken the plunge," he added.
Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi said the Government is working on its common minimum programme without any problem and the Opposition should not think of any party (JD-U) as falling into its lap, in view of recent developments.