New Delhi: In a significant move, the Janata Dal-United (JD(U)), led by Nitish Kumar, adopted a resolution during its national executive meeting in Delhi on Saturday, reviving its longstanding demand for ‘special category’ status for Bihar. This development comes at a crucial juncture, with the BJP-led central government relying on JD(U)’s 12 Lok Sabha seats for support.
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar reaffirmed his commitment to champion this cause, echoing a similar resolution passed by the Bihar Cabinet last year. The party’s persistence in this matter underscores its strategic importance, especially with the 2025 Bihar assembly elections on the horizon.
Exploring Alternatives: Special Status vs. Financial Package
While the primary focus remains on achieving special category status, party insiders suggest that JD(U) may also consider pushing for a special financial package as an alternative. This flexibility in approach indicates the party’s pragmatic stance in addressing Bihar’s developmental needs.
Additionally, JD(U) is advocating for the inclusion of enhanced reservations for Other Backward Classes, Extremely Backward Classes, Scheduled Castes, and Scheduled Tribes in the Constitution’s Ninth Schedule. This demand persists despite the Patna High Court’s recent invalidation of the state government’s 65% quota for backward classes, which was based on Bihar’s first-ever caste survey.
Gearing Up for 2025: JD(U)’s Electoral Strategy
The national executive meeting also served as a platform to strategize for the upcoming 2025 Bihar assembly polls. Emphasizing grassroots engagement, the party stressed the importance of seamless coordination among party officials and continuous communication with workers – a strategy credited for their improved performance in the recent Lok Sabha elections.
In an ambitious move, JD(U) announced its intention to field candidates in all states holding assembly elections in 2025. The party plans to pre-select 5 to 10 workers for each booth, indicating a focus on strengthening its ground-level presence.
In a significant organizational development, Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Kumar Jha was appointed as JD(U)’s working president. Nitish Kumar will continue to serve as the national president, maintaining continuity in the party’s top leadership.
