NEW DELHI (TIP): In what could trigger a fresh round of political slugfest in poll bound Bihar, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat has disapproved of “special package” becoming political tool saying it leads to “unhealthy competition” between states whom he described as ‘integral parts of body politic”. Bhagwat’s word of caution in an interview for a special edition of RSS’ publication Organiser, comes at a time when the BJP is harping on the recently announced Rs 1.25 lakh crore package for Bihar and chief minister Nitish Kumar dismissing it as ‘packaging’ of old schemes.

The package is one of the main poll planks for the BJP in Bihar and it has found mention in hundreds of such posters put up in different cities of Bihar.

“Once special packages become a political tool and all other constituents feel that political blackmailing can take them forward then it leads to unhealthy competition. We need to logically justify and act for harmonious relations,” Bhagwat said in the interview. He was asked if integral humanism could address the strain in Centre-state relationship that is caused by issues like special package and identity.

“Emotional cordiality is the only solution to this. Both Centre and states are running governments for the nation. Unitary states are constituents of the nation, they are not separate. As hands, legs or brain cannot claim that they are independent; similarly states are also integral parts of body politic. Until, this bonding is there, everything will be in line,” Bhagwat added.

His interview to the weekly had earlier triggered a row with BJP’s rivals accusing Bhagwat of trying to do away with the reservation system. This was following his suggestion to set up a committee to decide which categories require reservation and for how long.