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Bihar CM walks out of CMs' conclave
May 10, 2003 15:13 IST
Protesting the projection of Bihar as the most backward state in the country in an issue of India Today, a visibly angry Chief Minister Rabri Devi on Saturday walked out of a chief ministers' conclave organised by the magazine in New Delhi.

She said a wrong picture was being projected of her state, which she would not tolerate.

Accompanying her was her husband and Rashtriya Janata Dal chief, Laloo Prasad Yadav, who threatened to burn copies of the magazine.

Yadav was later persuaded by the organisers to stay on and
have his say. Rabri Devi, however, did not return.

Goa was adjudged the best state.

Laloo later launched a scathing attack on the government and the Planning Commission for discriminating against Bihar in allocation of funds.

Recalling that at the time of carving Jharkhand out of Bihar Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had promised a special package for his state, Yadav said: "Till today not a single paisa has been given. Delhi, the power centre, has been built with our money and it is ignoring Bihar," he said.
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