Without naming Modi, Nitish Kumar says JD(U) will not compromise on secularism: Highlights

New Delhi: On the second and final day of the Janata Dal (United)'s national executive meet in Delhi, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar once again spoke about his demand asking the Center to give the state special status. Below are the highlights.

• We began from scratch, it was a challenge
• All of us want to develop; growth must be inclusive
• Biharis are known for hardwork
• They have never become a burden on people, we have always carried other people's burdern
• Freight equalisation policy discriminated against Bihar - we need to set that straight
• That is what we are demanding - if Bihar gets special status, then other states will benefit too
• This country cannot be run by force...
• They tried to do that during Emergency - remember what happened
• That experience strengthen democracy and today no one would have the courage to impose Emergency
• This country can be run with peace and love
• The PM should be someone who can keep the country together
• We don't harbour any illusions that we can  become PM - we can't on our numbers
• Remember what happened to Dewe Gowda or Gujral
• We have a role to play and we will
• Bihar is developing - running well
• There is no need for genetic -modification  in Bihar - that  crop is growing well
• We have never divided society - we have been able to garner support from those section s who did not expect any thing from us
• To run this country, we need Atal Bihari Vajpayee's vision
• He would take everyone along
• He would always say follow 'Rajdharm'
• We want to follow that - but if our voice is not heard what can we do?
• We want the country to run  on a straight path, but if it is derailed then we can't predict what will happen tomorrow...
• If we have to relook at  what we have decided , we will
• We have some fundamental principles on which we can't compromise ... we cannot give up on secularism to stay in power
• We will try and take everyone along
• Atmospherics are all right but we need to stick to our resolutions... we are committed to all the resolutions that have been taken here