Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar remains unfazed over the reported threat by the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena to prevent Bihar divas celebrations in Mumbai, saying no one can stop him from attending the event and he does not require a “visa” to travel there.
“There is no hurdle for me to go there… Can go to any part of the country… don't need any type of visa for that. I am going,” Mr. Kumar said on Monday, when asked for his comment on the threat by the Raj Thackeray-headed MNS to block the celebrations.
He said he would give his message to people from Bihar living in Mumbai on April 15 during his scheduled visit to attend a social and cultural programme organised by migrant labour from the State to celebrate the centenary of the creation of the State.
The MNS did not appear to take kindly to Mr. Kumar's assertion.
“Raj saheb will make the party's stance on the issue clear at a public meeting at Malegaon on April 12,” a senior MNS leader said.
“Mumbai is the capital of Maharashtra. If anybody tries to show Maharashtra's culture and Marathi language in a bad light, it will not be tolerated,” the MNS leader said.
'Independent panel for BPL list'
Mr. Kumar also demanded an independent commission for preparing BPL list and said it would end the tussle between the central and State governments on the list of beneficiaries.
“I once again demand that an independent institution be set up on the pattern of Election Commission of India for preparing the BPL lists,” Mr. Kumar told reporters.
The Bihar government had to make changes in its BPL list thrice as several families were deprived of the benefits, he said.
If an independent commission prepares the BPL list it would ensure better work and actual beneficiaries would be satisfied.
