'Agli Baar Sab Haarega': Nitish-Modi Bonhomie on Full Display at NDA Parliamentary Meet

New Delhi: Lalu Prasad Yadav may not be present in the 18th Parliament, but humour remains abundant. During the NDA gathering in the Old Parliament building, the room erupted in laughter when JDU president and Bihar CM Nitish Kumar stood up to express his support for Narendra Modi. During a meeting of the newly-elected MPs of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance, Nitish Kumar endorsed Modi for a third term as Prime Minister. However, he didn't miss the chance to take a dig at his former allies and exuded confidence that Modi will come back as PM in the next Lok Sabha elections too.   'Agli baar jab aap aaiye toh kuch log jo idhar udhar jeet gaya hai, agli baar sab haarega. Humko poora bharosa hai (When you come next time, those who have won here and there will lose next time. We are fully confident)'...", said Nitish, prompting laughter from PM Modi. 

Nitish's Unwavering Support to Narendra Modi

The camaraderie between Nitish Kumar and Narendra Modi was evident as they exchanged smiles and warm handshakes after the Bihar Chief Minister delivered a glowing speech endorsing a third term for Modi. "I will be with the PM at all times," said Nitish in a clear response to critics who expected another U-turn from him. It was speculated that the INDI alliance, which surprised many by winning 232 seats and narrowing the BJP's lead despite exit polls suggesting otherwise, had approached

Without directly naming anyone, he questioned, "Bina matlab ka baat bol bol karke kya kiya hai... inlogo ne kuch kaam kiya hai. (What have they achieved by talking without any purpose? Have they done any meaningful work?"

The JD(U) chief continued, "Desh ki koi seva nehi ki... iss baar phir se jo mauka mila iske baad koi gunjaish nehi rahega. (They haven't served the country... If they get another chance, there won't be any room for it again)..." 

Nitish Sticks to His Demand

Meanwhile, Nitish Kumar's JD(U), which the BJP relies on heavily since losing majority in the Lok Sabha, has reiterated its demand for special category status (SCS) for the state. Granting SCS to Bihar has been a long-pending demand of the JD(U) supremo. The Bihar cabinet, headed by Kumar, had even passed a resolution last year requesting the Centre to grant SCS to the state. The Centre had previously said it would not entertain demands for "special category status" from any state, in view of the 14th Finance Commission's recommendation. The SCS was introduced in 1969 to benefit certain backward states with hilly terrains, strategic international borders, and economic and infrastructural backwardness.

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, senior JD(U) leader and Bihar minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary said, "The JD(U) is part of the NDA and will remain with it. But there are certain demands of the JD(U) related to the financial condition and economy of Bihar that must be fulfilled by the Centre. Our demand for special category status for Bihar is fully justified and needs to be fulfilled. We stick to our demand for SCS for Bihar." Justifying the Bihar government's demand for SCS, state parliamentary affairs minister Choudhary (who previously held the finance portfolio) told PTI on Thursday, "Bihar government has been demanding SCS for the state since 2011-12. Before that, a resolution in this regard was passed by both Houses of the Bihar legislature. Bihar is the most deserving state that needs special financial assistance from the Centre." "The NITI Aayog had earlier admitted that Bihar made 'tremendous progress' across multiple sectors in the last decade, but owing to its weak base in the past, the state may take some more time to catch up with others and reach the optimum growth in all aspects. This is the reason that we have been demanding special assistance from the Centre," said Choudhary.

The economy of Bihar is one of the fastest-growing in India, he said, adding that the state has not only grown consistently, but also outperformed even the most developed states. "We need a special package for the overall development of the state," he added. Obtaining the special category status enables states to receive certain fiscal and tax benefits aimed at helping them attract investments and foster economic development due to certain geographical and socioeconomic disadvantages.