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Vote in the name of development: Nitish

Urges people to rise above caste, communal considerations

Katihar (Bihar): Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Friday appealed to the people to rise above caste and communal considerations and vote for development in the December 4 by-poll for the Manihari assembly seat.

"Rise above retrogressive considerations of caste and communalism and join hands for bringing development in Bihar," Kumar said addressing an election rally at Manihari in Katihar district in favour of JD (U) candidate Viswanath Singh. The Bihar Chief Minister told the people that his Government was working for the welfare of the people and enumerated initiatives taken in the field of health, education and construction of roads/bridges.

"The Government is moving ahead on its target and I seek your cooperation for the task," Mr. Kumar said.

BJP leader and newly-elected Lok Sabha Member from Bhagalpur Syed Shahnawaz Hussain hailed the NDA Government's efforts in bringing Bihar back on the rails and "genuine" welfare measure for improving lots of minority Muslim community.

"Unlike the past RJD rule, this Government believes in doing what it promises...The Nitish Government is taking measures for bringing prosperity and establishing communal harmony in the society," Hussain said.

Meanwhile, AICC general secretary and in-charge of party affairs of Bihar Digvijay Singh held road show in Manihari in support of Congress candidate Hamid Mubarak, son of Mubarak Hussain, the party MLA whose death recently necessitated by-poll at Manihari.

Wishing good luck to hundreds of Haj pilgrims who left for Jeddah from Patna on Friday, Nitish Kumar asked them to pray for the welfare of the state and its people.

Seeing off the first batch of 105 pilgrims from the State, including many women, Kumar announced that the grant for the Haj Committee would be doubled from Rs 10 lakhs to Rs 20 lakhs.

The Bihar Government is working overtime to usher in development and prosperity, and the blessings of the almighty were required for this, he said. More facilities would be provided for the pilgrims in days to come, he added. Syed Shahnawaz Hussain, State Minister for Minority Welfare Manzar Alam, Haj Committee chairman Jamshed Ashraf and secretary Rashid Ali Khan were present.

PTI

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Vote in the name of development: Nitish

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