File Photo: Former Bihar Chief Minister Lalu Prasad
Rashtriya Janata Dal President Lalu Prasad denounced the Rs 1.25 lakh crore special package for Bihar announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi today, calling it a "political jumla" and different from special status which he had earlier promised.
"PM Modi had promised special status to Bihar one and a half year ago during the Lok Sabha poll campaign. The central government must understand the difference between special status and special package. It is like another political 'jumla' (saying) for the people of Bihar, which will have no impact," Mr Prasad said.
Questioning the timing of the announcement, the RJD leader said the state was poll-bound and waiting for the announcement of election dates. "In such a scenario, the timing of the announcement of special package is totally suspicious."
"Why he did not give it 15 months ago when he became PM? It would have been beneficial for the state," the RJD leader quipped.
The package was announced solely to provide political mileage to BJP during the coming Bihar assembly poll, he claimed and asserted that the people of Bihar will see through the design and give a befitting reply.
Taking a dig at PM Modi, Lalu Prasad said: "The special package is the same like the assurance Modi gave about bringing back black money and depositing Rs 15 lakh in everybody's bank accounts."
The RJD chief, who has joined hands with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar-led JD(U) to check the Bharatiya Janata Party in the coming assembly polls, asked PM Modi to make public the finer details of the special package to Bihar.
"The Prime Minister must reveal the details, technicalities, terms and conditions of the so called package. He also should tell when and how, the money promised will be released," he added.