PM addresses rally in Bihar, criticises Nitish

Patna: Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh on Saturday hit out at Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar at a rally in the state's Araria district.

"It is very sad that while other states are progressing, Araria and Bihar are still so underdeveloped. The Centre is giving so much money to Bihar, yet no work hapens here. It is unfortunate to know that the state government is taking credit for the schemes of the Central government and their benefits are not reaching those intended," said Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister further said, "We have repeatedly tried to speed up the pace of progress in Bihar in providing basic needs like electricity, roads and good irrigation facilities. We started giving a special annual package of Rs 1000 crore".

"... since 2004, till now, the Centre has given Rs 6000 crore and for 36 districts the Centre is giving special assistance. These funds could have changed the face of the state... power, roads, education could have been given to the needy but the government has not fulfilled its duties".

Holding the past RJD governments and the current one of Nitish Kumar responsible for Bihar's plight, the Prime Minister said the Congress led by Sonia Gandhi alone could ensure all-round growth of the state.

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"Araria district has been covered among 90 other districts in the country under the special scheme for minorities launched by the Centre, but it is unfortunate that no tangible step has been taken in this direction," he said.

Bihar goes to the polls in a few days time, and development has become a major issue with voters this election, probably prompting this attack on Nitish Kumar, seen as someone who's brought development to a state once known as the heart of India's darkness.

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But Nitish Kumar has remained unfazed so far, asking for votes across the state in the name of development . It's a strategy that worked for him in the Lok Sabha polls last year, with the BJP- JD(U) alliance winning a majority of the seats in the election.

"They did nothing for 15 years, yet they were voted to power. I don't talk, I simply work, so will you vote for me again or will I be off power after my five-year tenure," said Nitish Kumar, Chief Minister, Bihar.

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Even Lalu Yadav, whose party ruled Bihar for 15 years by engineering the famed Muslim-Yadav factor, now seems to have wholeheartedly embraced development.

"I may not be in the government anymore, but no one can deny the work I have done as a Railway Minister," said Lalu Yadav, Leader, RJD.

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However, in a state riddled with caste equations, putting development on top of the equation is both difficult and sometimes politically inconvenient. So, off record leaders admit they are trying to mobilise caste votes across the state too. The key perhaps, is balancing the twin factors of caste and development, as Bihar goes to the polls. (With PTI inputs)