Nitish fetes Bihari pride in poll season

All state government offices observed a holiday to mark the historic event of Bihars creation carved out of the Bengal Presidency on March 22,1912,and celebrations were organized from the panchayat to the national level,and even at some places overseas. Central establishments like banks were shut in the state under the Negotiable Instruments Act,and examinations were postponed.

Kicking off the celebrations,organized on a grand scale at Patnas Gandhi Maidan,Nitish invoked a common pride in Bihar to urge people to shun caste divisions and join hands to achieve a 15 per cent rate of growth for the state. Dont believe in castes8230; it divides society and leads to destruction, he declared betraying a gnawing political anxiety over a potential division of the electorate along caste lines in the poll-bound state.

It is widely believed that Nitishs core upper-caste base has been upset due to his governments shrill emphasis on the welfare of the extremely backward castes and Mahadalits. The upper castes also have their apprehensions over the rights of sharecroppers. The invocation of Bihari pride was clearly an attempt by Nitish to blunt the sharp divisions of caste ahead of elections.

The political thrust behind the celebrations was not missed,as opposition leaders like RJD chief Lalu Prasad,LJP chief Ram Vilas Paswan and state Congress chief Anil Sharma kept away despite being invited. They dubbed the celebration as self-anointment and a waste of public money. Nitish hit back,describing Lalu as divisive.

The chief minister stressed on the need for a Bihar song to be made a part of all important occasions in the state to generate pride. We will take Bihars growth rate to 15 per cent. We are on a big assignment to work for social harmony,cohesion and economic growth, he said.

Several pavilions have been erected at Gandhi Maidan to showcase the states arts and craft. Over 300 varieties of ethnic Bihari were being served. Bhojpuri actor Ravi Kishan was the big hit of the inaugural function. Similar celebrations began in Delhis Pragati Maidan as well with cultural shows and an exhibition of Bihari cuisine till April 5.

Shotgun takes potshots at Nitish

Shatrughan Sinha,BJP MP from Patna Sahib,stayed away from the Bihar Diwas celebrations,making it a point to announce that,Nitishji did not deem it fit to invite me,I will not attend the function organized to promote Bihar. Sinhas party,the BJP,is part of Nitish Kumars coalition government.

Senior Bihar govt official Anjani Kumar Singh said invites had been sent to all MPs and MLAs. Nitish Kumar did not react personally.