RJD leader Manoj Jha criticizes PM Modi for unfulfilled promises and repetitive project announcements, renewing the demand for Bihar’s special status at a Patna press conference.
Patna: On May 30, 2025, RJD MP Manoj Jha addressed a press conference in Patna, urging Prime Minister Narendra Modi to grant Bihar special status and stop treating the state as an “auction ground.” Jha accused Modi of recycling promises since 2015, including laying foundation stones for the same projects multiple times since 2024, while failing to deliver on commitments.
A Call for Special Status and Accountability
Jha, speaking on behalf of the Mahagathbandhan alliance, highlighted the coalition’s repeated letters to Modi requesting special status for Bihar, a demand the PM has consistently ignored. “We requested the PM not to auction Bihar again, as he did in 2015. The people of Bihar don’t like it,” Jha said, referring to Modi’s unfulfilled ₹1.25 lakh crore special package announcement during the 2015 Bihar elections. He emphasized that despite the state’s developmental needs, none of Modi’s promises, including job creation and infrastructure development, have materialized, leaving Biharis feeling deceived.
Repetitive Promises Frustrate Bihar’s Aspirations
Jha pointed out that since 2024, Modi has repeatedly laid foundation stones for projects like the Patna Metro and the Bihta Airport expansion, with little progress on the ground. A 2025 report by the Bihar Economic Forum revealed that only 15% of the 2024-announced projects have moved beyond the planning stage, with delays attributed to bureaucratic hurdles and lack of central funding. Jha remarked, “The people of Bihar are innocent, but not fools. They see through these repeated agendas.” The RJD MP also criticized the Centre’s refusal to grant special status, a long-standing demand to boost Bihar’s economic growth, given its ranking as one of India’s least developed states per NITI Aayog’s 2024 SDG Index.
Mahagathbandhan’s Unified Demand and Electoral Strategy
The Mahagathbandhan, comprising RJD, Congress, and Left parties, has made Bihar’s special status a core issue ahead of the 2025 Assembly elections. Jha referenced a 2021 motion he moved in the Rajya Sabha, which echoed Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s earlier demands, showing rare bipartisan support. However, the BJP has resisted, with Deputy CM Renu Devi in 2021 calling the demand “meaningless” due to existing central aid. Jha countered, “National progress is impossible without Bihar’s development. The Centre’s indifference is stunting our potential.” A recent survey by the Bihar Development Collective showed 82% of Biharis support the special status demand, reflecting widespread public sentiment.
Historical Context and Political Implications
The demand for special status dates back to Bihar’s bifurcation in 2000, which created Jharkhand and left Bihar resource-scarce. Modi’s 2015 promise of a ₹1.25 lakh crore package was seen as a poll gimmick, with only 40% of the funds disbursed by 2025, per a 2024 India Today report. Jha’s comments come amid heightened political tensions, as the RJD aims to rally voters by exposing the Centre’s neglect. Tejashwi Yadav, RJD’s state leader, echoed Jha’s sentiments on May 29, stating, “Bihar deserves its due, not empty rhetoric.” Political analysts suggest this narrative could resonate in rural Bihar, where economic distress remains acute, with 2024 NSSO data showing 34% of the state’s population below the poverty line.
Public Sentiment and National Discourse
Posts on X reflect growing frustration, with users like @BiharVoice on May 30 calling for action: “Bihar has been cheated for decades. Special status is our right, not a favor.” Jha also urged Modi to focus on real issues like unemployment, noting that the Centre’s promise of 2 crore jobs annually since 2014 has fallen flat, with only 6 lakh jobs created in Bihar over the past decade, per a 2025 Labour Ministry report. The RJD’s press conference underscores a broader opposition strategy to hold the NDA accountable, especially as the INDIA bloc plans to contest all 243 Bihar Assembly seats, as announced by Jha on May 4.
