Patna: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today said he had not given up the demand for grant of special status to Bihar "for even one second" since he first raised the issue 13 years ago.
He also hit out at the RJD for questioning his silence after the TDP pulled out of the NDA seeking similar benefits for Andhra Pradesh.
Mr Kumar declined to comment on the fresh conviction of RJD supremo Lalu Prasad in the fourth fodder scam case but said the claims of the former chief minister and his family members of being "framed" in corruption cases "could convince only hardcore supporters".
"Since then, the demand has been raised by us relentlessly and I have not strayed for even a second. I'm amused to see those who were never concerned about the issue have suddenly started questioning my silence," Mr Kumar told reporters at party headquarters in Patna.
Mr Kumar, who is the JDU national chief, had made a surprise appearance at a press conference convened by state chief Bashishth Narain Singh to announce merger of a breakaway faction of Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) founded by former chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi.
Mr Kumar was responding to queries about the relentless attacks by Lalu Prasad Yadav and Leader of Opposition in state Assembly Tejashwi Yadav.
"Special status is a need for Bihar. We will work towards ensuring that it is fulfilled. But we are not going to issue statements about the matter every now and then. We have always placed interests of the voters above their votes, unlike our detractors," he said.
He also hit out at the RJD for questioning his silence after the TDP pulled out of the NDA seeking similar benefits for Andhra Pradesh.
Mr Kumar declined to comment on the fresh conviction of RJD supremo Lalu Prasad in the fourth fodder scam case but said the claims of the former chief minister and his family members of being "framed" in corruption cases "could convince only hardcore supporters".
"Since then, the demand has been raised by us relentlessly and I have not strayed for even a second. I'm amused to see those who were never concerned about the issue have suddenly started questioning my silence," Mr Kumar told reporters at party headquarters in Patna.
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Mr Kumar, who is the JDU national chief, had made a surprise appearance at a press conference convened by state chief Bashishth Narain Singh to announce merger of a breakaway faction of Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) founded by former chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi.
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Mr Kumar was responding to queries about the relentless attacks by Lalu Prasad Yadav and Leader of Opposition in state Assembly Tejashwi Yadav.
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"Special status is a need for Bihar. We will work towards ensuring that it is fulfilled. But we are not going to issue statements about the matter every now and then. We have always placed interests of the voters above their votes, unlike our detractors," he said.
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