'Delhi would come to a halt if Biharis stop work'

Addressing a rally in the Capital to mark 100 years of formation of Bihar, chief minister Nitish Kumar on Sunday said the state's growth story is reflected by the fact that migration of labourers from Bihar to other developed states like Punjab and Maharashtra has significantly come down in recent years.

Addressing a rally in the Capital to mark 100 years of formation of Bihar, chief minister Nitish Kumar on Sunday said the state's growth story is reflected by the fact that migration of labourers from Bihar to other developed states like Punjab and Maharashtra has significantly come down in recent years. "Big farmers and entrepreneurs in Punjab are complaining labour shortage because of decrease in arrival of labourers from Bihar who are getting employment in their native places itself," Kumar said.

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Kumar's rally - his first political appearance in the Capital after taking over as CM in 2005 - assumes significance in the backdrop of a growing chorus among political circles about formation of a Third Front coalition to take on Congress and BJP.

The two national parties fared poorly in the just concluded assembly polls in five states. Political commentators said that so far, Kumar had hardly stepped outside his state to address political rallies.

The Bihar CM attributed the drop in migration rate to development work in the state and MGNREGA, UPA's flagship job guarantee programme.

On the occasion, Kumar also honoured 20 people from the state for their commendable job in various fields.

Those honoured included SEBI Chairman U K Sinha, former foreign secretary Shyam Saran, former cricketer Saba Karim and actor Manoj Tiwari.