On the day the BJP headed to Patna to announce the start of its Parivartan Yatras for “change” in the state, JD(U) leader and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar reached out to the Bihar diaspora in Delhi, seeking special status for the state and flagging concern over its people being “forced to migrate in search of employment and livelihood”. Speaking at the launch of the Delhi chapter of the Bihar Foundation — its president is Bihar water resources minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary — Kumar referred to “islands of development” the country: “If the strength and intelligence of people of Bihar is used in correct fashion, the entire country will progress. What has happened today? Some islands of development have been created in this country. What is the reason people of Bihar leave their family, their community, their town and come to Delhi or Mumbai or Kolkata in search of employment and livelihood.” [related-post] He said grant of special status will not just facilitate more investment and industrialisation in the state, but also bring an end to migration by generating employment opportunities. “A change is only possible when the path of development changes. The entire country should progress. And wherever, there is a possibility of progress but there is a problem in getting resources, something has to be done. To encourage investors and set up industries, we have been demanding special status. It is not that industries are not progressing in Bihar but not on the scale on which this development is required.” “If policies are made on the basis of each state’s need, then every part, every locality of the country will see development,” Kumar said. The meeting was disrupted by some people who raised slogans and held placards saying “Nitish Go Back” — this happened as Kumar prepared to address the gathering. Removed from the venue, the group claimed to be members of expelled RJD leader Pappu Yadav’s outfit, Jan Adhikar Morcha. “We wanted to raise concerns about the Bihar government’s inaction in crimes against women which have taken place at Parbatta in Khagaria recently. Not one leader has paid any attention to the residents of Parbatta. No one has been able to get in touch with the Chief Minister. Why is Nitish Kumar silent on the incident,” a member of Jan Adhikar Morcha said. Kumar hit back at the protesters, saying there was “no political motive” behind the meeting. He said the disruption was an attempt to get media attention. “This is a disease which refuses to go away. It will take a while to go away but it will subside. We are not here for political reasons. The time to indulge in politics has come. Whoever the people vote for as their government, they have to interact with the Bihar diaspora. If a festival is taking place in a household, a social festival, and at that time some member voice their demands, how will this look?”
