Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar flags off the yatra rath with 1.25 crore signatures demanding special status for the state, at the JD(U) headquarters in Patna on Sunday. Picture by Deepak Kumar

Patna, July 10: Down with viral fever for the past 10 days, chief minister Nitish Kumar today showed a strong resolve and arrived at the JD(U) office to flag off the colourful convoy that proceeded to New Delhi today to press for the special category status to Bihar.

The main yatra rath (campaign chariot) which state JD(U) chief Basistha Narayan Singh and party general secretary Ravindra Singh occupied, carried the memorandum appended with 1.25 crore signatures demanding special category status for Bihar.

The air-conditioned rath that proceeded on a four-day journey was equipped with toilet, three beds and cosy sofas to enable its occupants cope with the rigours of the long journey.

Ahead of the rath was a pilot car. There were altogether 27 vehicles, carrying 125 party leaders handpicked by the chief minister for the special journey. Passing through Ara, Buxar, Ghajipur, Varanasi, Allahabad, Kanpur and Agra, the cavalcade will reach Jantar-Mantar ground, New Delhi, on July 13.

Prior to flagging off the convoy, Nitish gave a strong hug to Basistha as if lending his strength to the latter to push the demand for what he refers to as the “legitimate right” of the state. An enfeeble chief minister, who otherwise eloquently advocates special category status for Bihar — remained mostly quiet during the 15 minutes he remained at the party office to complete the formality.

The demand for special category status was inscribed in bold letters, beside the pictures of Nitish, JD(U) national president Sharad Yadav and Basistha, on the yatra rath.

At least two vehicles in the convoy are carrying only women cadres.

The Centre has so far not taken notice to Nitish’s intense campaign for special category status from all the forums — political rallies, national development council and meetings with the Planning Commission for nearly six years now.

It is to be seen how the Centre responds to the signature campaign which will culminate at a political rally in New Delhi on July 13.

The ruling JD(U), however, sounded quite optimistic about its march time to Jantar Mantar. “They (signatures) are not mere signatures put on pieces of paper. They reflect the sentiment of 1.25 crore people from Bihar. People’s sentiment and aspirations are the paramount force in democracy,” said Basishtha.

The Manmohan Singh government has so far not paid much attention to several of Nitish’s demands, including special package for rebuilding the Kosi region devastated by the 2008 floods and funds for linking rivers.

At the moment, the UPA-II appears seized with poll preparations in Uttar Pradesh, various financial scams and cabinet reshuffle. Bihar does not appear to be on the radar of the Centre.

The UPA government, so far, appears reluctant to amend the criteria worked out for according special category status to a state. According to Senior Congress leaders, by amending the criteria at Nitish’s behest, the UPA-II hardly stands to gain anything politically.

“Nitish armed with 206 MLAs in the 243-member Bihar Assembly and enjoying strong clout over the masses, particularly after the 2010 polls, will be able to pocket the credit even if the Centre accords special category status to Bihar,” said a senior Congress leader, conjecturing, “I do not think that the Centre will cave in so easily on the issue.”

Sharad Yadav will take the command of the JD(U) rally at Jantar Mantar. The party is supposed to submit the memorandum with 1.25 crore signatures to the prime minister at the end of the rally.