Patna: JD-U leaders persist in their call for special status for Bihar, yet Union MSME Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi emphasized that the NITI Aayog has definitively ruled out such provisions for any state. Speaking to media in Hajipur, he stated, “The NITI Aayog has clearly denied special status to any state in the country. Despite political demands, special status will not be granted.”
Manjhi assured that Bihar’s financial requirements would still be fulfilled by the central government. “The Central government and PM Narendra Modi will provide whatever funds are necessary for development,” he affirmed.
Since the NDA government came to power, JD-U leaders have consistently pushed for Bihar’s special status. Ministers like Vijay Kumar Chaudhary and Ashok Choudhary have been vocal advocates. However, opposition figures such as RJD’s Tejashwi Yadav and Congress’ Meira Kumar have criticized JD-U for pursuing special status from BJP while being part of the NDA coalition.