Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Sunday reiterated his demand of a special category status for Bihar to touch the national average on several indicators of human development index, economic growth and development.
"Bihar is a backward state and development so far is inadequate. So it is high time Centre should accord a special category status for the state," Nitish Kumar said at the historic Gandhi Maidan while addressing his 'Adhikar rally' in Patna on Sunday.
Kumar also said that Bihar must be given a special category status because without New Delhi's help, it would take nearly 25 years for the state to touch the national average of economic growth.
"Bihar is much below to national average on per capita income, investment, electricity consumption, health and other indicators of development," Nitish Kumar said.
He also warned the Centre that if it would not accord special category status to Bihar, his party Janata Dal-United will organise a rally at Ramlila Maidan in New Delhi in March 2013 on the issue.
JD-U national president Sharad Yadav and several party leaders shared the dais with Nitish Kumar.
JD-U has booked eight special trains and more than 10,000 buses to ferry supporters to Patna for the Sunday rally.