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Sonia promises new era of development for Bihar

     Araria: United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Chairperson and Congress President Sonia Gandhi, who is on a day-long visit to Bihar today promised a new era of development for the state if Rashtriya Janata Dal led-Secular Democratic Forum (SDF) comes in power. While addressing an election meeting here, Sonia pointed out that the UPA government at the Centre had enacted legislation guaranting employment for at least 100 days in a year to the rural poor. She also noted that the Congress had never encouraged and stood for communal harmony. Sonia, who arrived in Purnea this morning, is scheduled to address three more rallies in Benipatti, Bettiah and Chapra. Her visit was deferred by a day in view of former President KR Narayanan's funeral on Thursday, who died on Wednesday in New Delhi after a prolonged illness.

     On Tuesday, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh canvassed for votes in Saharsa and Sitamarhi claiming that the Congress-RJD alliance had the means to take Bihar out of its dismal economic state. "We have the means to take out Bihar from its dismal economic state. The need right now is for a government that will work shoulder to shoulder with the Central government and help eradicate poverty and unemployment from Bihar," Singh said. According to the Bihar Congress spokesman Kripanath Pathak, people were impressed by the performance of the UPA government at the Centre which had taken several steps for the uplift of the rural poor, women and other vulnerable sections.

    Amid the several media exit poles indicating UPA lagging behind the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) after two phases of polls, both alliances have campaigned restlessly for the third phase, in which polling will take place for 57 assembly seats. On Tuesday, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh canvassed for votes in Saharsa and Sitamarhi claiming that the Congress-RJD alliance had the means to take Bihar out of its dismal economic state.

     Meanwhile, the Janata Dal (U) leader and NDA Chief Ministerial candidate Nitish Kumar, In Darbhanga on Thursday, shunned the rhetoric and went straight to the real reason why he was there. "Give us one chance we will change the face of Bihar for good," Kumar said. The first and second phases of voting had taken place on October 18 and 26 respectively, while the third phase will be held on November 13 and fourth on November 19. Counting of votes in all the constituencies will be taken up on November 22, and date before which election process shall be completed will be November 23.