Bihar CM smashes hard against Identity proof plan

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Sunday sent a strong letter to the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh against Delhi lieutenant governor's decision to require people to carry identification cards every time from coming January 15, when step out of their homes saying this was a 'weapon that was clearly designed to exploit the ordinary people.

Kumar urged the Center to intervene in the matter and order an immediate repeal of the proposal as suggested by Delhi Governor Tejendra Khanna and save turning Delhi into a police state. Calling the order as a sinister design to target people of Bihari origin, Kumar urged the prime minister to repeal the draconian measure as soon as possible.

"This is an attack on the basic rights of the citizens of India and an insult to those Biharis who have chosen to make New Delhi as their new home. The Governor's proposal, if implemented, would give unprecedented power to the bureaucrats who would use it to settle personal scores while harassing people from outside," the Chief Minister said.

Kumar was supported by all the major political parties in showing his angst against the Lieutenant Governor's decision to carry identity proof always whenever comes out the house, as all the political parties condemned the decision.

Nitish Kumar said it seemed to him that failures on the police and intelligence fronts are being covered up in the name of security and there was an attempt to turn Delhi into a police state.

Even Shiela Dixit too was not happy with the decision and while criticizing the decision; she said she was not consulted. The CM Dixit said her government had not received any formal intimation from the LG's office. She said we came to know about it through reports published in various newspapers.

Bihar CM urged the PM not to trampling of citizens' right. He reminded PM even constitution doesn't put barrier on free movement of people. He further said that Delhi is a state capital, it attracts people from all over the country including Bihar and no one can claim exclusive jurisdiction over Delhi .

Nitish kumar further said, “Many Biharis considers Delhi , as their second home and order is issued with a perspective to curbing their rights. This whole exercise appears to be one such sinister design to target people of Bihar origin.� People of Bihar would not oppose the decision if the Center decides to issue I-card to every citizen.

In the mean time, the students' wing of JD(U) carried out a silent procession in Patna against Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Delhi CM Shiela Dixit accusing them as being dictatorial and anti-Bihari.

Lt- Governor Khanna in issuing notice on Friday, also proposed revalidation of driving license issued elsewhere in the country driving in Delhi along with carrying Identity Card every time.