NEW DELHI: Hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a stupendous Rs 1.25 lakh crore economic package for poll-bound Bihar, state chief minister Nitish Kumar hit out at the PM and said our demand was 'special status' for the state.

"The PM talks of cooperative federalism, but does just the opposite by insulting states which he visits," Nitish Kumar said addressing a press conference on Tuesday.

Ridiculing the special package, Nitish Kumar accused the PM of harbouring "contempt" for those seeking their rights from the Centre.

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"The way he was speaking and saying 50 crore, 60 crore ... was it some sort of auction? Was he auctioning Bihar? the Bihar chief minister said on PM's speech.

"Our demand is special status for Bihar so that we can get tax concessions. This will attract investors to the state and new job opportunites would be cretaed for the youth of Bihar," he said.

Responding to PM's arrogant barb, Nitish said, "On the one hand he says I was a 'yachak' (somebody pleading) and on the other hand he accuses me of having arrogance. It's very contradictory. I am willing to plead with the Centre for the cause of Bihar. He is the Prime Minister and can say whatever he wishes."

Contradicting the claims made by Prime Minister during his speech, Nitish Kumar said, "I am sometimes very surprised and wonder as to from where does he get his facts?"

(With inputs from agencies)