Giving another dimension to the identity proof controversy in the capital, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Sunday saw the move as a "sinister design" to target the people from his state.

Kumar also alleged that the "dangerous" move making it compulsory for citizens of Delhi to carry identity proofs was to cover up the "failure" of police and intelligence in the name of security and an attempt to turn Delhi into a "police state".

In a strongly-worded letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh [Images], he said "of late there is a growing tendency among high-ups in Delhi to ridicule 'Biharis' to ignore their contribution and to try and get rid of them. This whole exercise appears to be one such sinister design to target people of Bihar origin".

Delhi reflected the confluence of many regions and cultures and no one could claim exclusive jurisdiction over the national capital, he said adding the contribution of people from Bihar towards the development of Delhi could not be ignored.

Observing that people of Bihar would not oppose if the Centre decided to issue identity cards to all its citizens, Kumar said "this present exercise meant only for Delhi, smacks of discrimination".

"In the name of security, we cannot play around with citizen's liberty, their rights and the Constitution," he said.