Nitish claims BJP will end quota if it gets the numbers in RS

Stepping up attack on reservation issue, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today claimed that BJP will "end" quota by bringing changes in the Constitution once it gets the numbers in Rajya Sabha, and asked the people to be cautious of its designs.

"These people would end the reservation for SC, ST and backward class once they are able to cobble up majority in the Rajya Sabha and that's why they want their government in Bihar as it would help them better their position in the upper house. Once they have the numbers in Rajya Sabha, they would effect changes in the Constitution," Kumar said at an election meeting here.

The BJP does not have majority in the upper house but it would also tinker with the existing provisions on land acquisition once they have the numbers, he claimed.

If BJP gets the numbers in the upper house, they would try to bring amendment in the land Acquisition Act and in all likelihood may re-introduce clauses such as farmers' consent would not be required for acquiring land if they win Bihar elections, he cautioned.

Kumar also hit back at Modi for dubbing him "arrogant", saying he was son of the soil and will not stop "showing them the mirror".

"I am not arrogant. I am a Bihari. We are people having self respect and will not let him go unchallenged and would also show them mirror," Kumar said.

He said that Centre withdrew its controversial amendments in land Acquisition Act keeping in mind Bihar elections which may spoil their chances.

Urging people to maintain communal harmony as Dussehra and Muharram would be observed around the same time, he said that there were elements which would try to vitiate the atmosphere "but you (people) have to maintain love and affection for each other. Be cautious of any such incident which may create tension."

In reply to Modi's 'Smart City' scheme, Kumar said he wants to make villages beautiful, equipped with all facilities and amenities so that people would not even look towards Modi's smart cities.

The rate of crime in Bihar is very less, the chief minister said while referring to the data of Ministry of Home Affairs. The crime rate is highest in Delhi where police directly comes under the central government, he said.