JD(U) MP RCP Singh with the 1.25 crore signatures demanding special status to Bihar at a public meeting at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on Wednesday. Picture by Prem Singh

New Delhi, July 13: Chief minister Nitish Kumar’s effort to turn his demand for special status to Bihar into a big political campaign reached Delhi today with JD(U) leaders carrying 1.25 crore signatures in support of the plea to be submitted to the Prime Minister.

JD(U) MPs, MLAs and even ministers assembled at Jantar Mantar — the venue of several agitations, including Anna Hazare’s fast against corruption — today with the signatures and warned the Centre that in case the demand isn’t accepted, they would hit the streets.

The signatures, compiled in a book form, reached here by road from Patna.

“We want to tell the Prime Minister and Sonia Gandhi that Bihar is on its feet and needs help to run on the path of development. If you don’t help, then we are left with no other option but to hit the streets and fight for our right,” JD(U) national president Sharad Yadav said.

The intent to build the demand into a big political issue was clear as Yadav declared JD(U)’s preparation for a massive rally at Patna’s Gandhi Maidan.

“We will not remain silent. We will hold a massive rally in Gandhi Maidan. If the Centre still does not agree then there is no other way but to declare war. A peaceful one,” Yadav said as party workers cheered.

The JD(U) is still waiting for time from Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to submit the signatures. Bihar JD(U) president Basishtha Narayan Singh said they would wait till July 15 and then return to spread the agitation to every corner of the country.

In his second term, Nitish has latched on to the special state category demand and plans to keep it alive and ticking till the next Lok Sabha polls followed by the state elections. Party leaders know it very well the Centre will never grant the demand.

Party leaders felt it was a clever strategy to counter the mounting developmental expectations of the people from the government.

The campaign in Delhi was totally the JD(U)’s affair and coalition partner BJP was not even invited to join the public meeting.