Nitish Kumar asks Manmohan Singh to grant special state status to Bihar

Chief minister Nitish Kumar today asked Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to concede the demand for according special state status to Bihar to help ensure all-round growth of the state.

"We know if the Prime Minister and the Centre desire, the people's long-cherished dream for a special state category to Bihar will be fulfilled, the PM should concede the demand", Kumar told reporters.

"If Bihar develops, the country too will develop", he said.

He thanked the Prime Minister for assuring a JD(U) delegation of discussing the demand for giving special state status to Bihar during the National Development Council (NDC) meeting.

"We have been raising the demand for giving special state status to Bihar since 2006 and had sought appointment with Prime Minister for giving us a hearing", Kumar said.

"We are really thankful and happy that the PM finally gave an appointment to the JD(U) delegation led by its national president Sharad Yadav", he said.

Kumar said he would not not harbour any grudge against the Prime Minister if he gave any extra benefits or similar treatment to any other states in the country.

A JD(U) delegation led by Yadav had yesterday submitted a memorandum with signatures of 1.25 Biharis to Prime Minister in support of the demand.