New Delhi, Sep 20: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar will not mind supporting Congress in government formation in 2014 provided it grants special status to Bihar.
"I will help anyone form the next government at the Centre if it grants special status to Bihar,” said Nitish who has launched a special campaign in Bihar to put pressure on national parties to grant ‘special status' to Bihar.
The statement makes it clear that Nitish will make ‘special status for Bihar' his main poll plank in upcoming 2014 parliamentary elections.
It could be music to the ears of that section of Congress which is advocating a tie-up with Nitish at any cost given his secular credentials.
It is a well known fact that Nitish has now got the confidence of sailing alone in electoral politics of Bihar given the complete marginalization of Lalu Prasad and his party RJD in state politics. His confidence also stems from the fact that BJP has no charismatic leader in the state who could challenge Nitish in case the two parties part their ways.
Nitish has already conveyed his opposition to Narendra Modi's candidature for PM to BJP's top leadership. But he is not sure how things will unfold in 2014.
Therfore, he has started preparing ground for quick divorce with BJP if the BJP insists on Modi as PM.
It seems he has come to the conclusion that ‘Special status to Bihar' would be the best plank on which he could both win elections in Bihar and simultaneously part ways with BJP if it insists on Modi as PM.
If Congress accepts ‘Special status' demand, Nitish could easily justify his break-off with BJP.
