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Shiv Sena plans inroads into Bihar

Union ministers Manohar Joshi and S Prabhu said on Thursday that the Shiv Sena had fielded candidates in 68 segments in the Bihar assembly elections, to help it gain support at the grassroots level in the eastern Indian state.

Addressing a joint press conference in Patna, they said their prime motto was to strengthen the Shiv Sena in the state.

Claiming that the Shiv Sena was trying to reach to the people through elections, Joshi said that his party would not get adequate help in the election without increasing its strength in the state.

Prabhu said they would establish their party's unit in all villages under a drive after the election and strive to gain support at grassroot level to increase its organisational strength in the state.

Joshi said his party was was in direct contests with the Bharatiya Janata Party in 10 seats. Replying to a query, Joshi said that they had wanted to co-operate with the BJP in Bihar as in Maharashtra but the plan hadn't worked. He also said his party had not joined the BJP campaign because they were not invited. Buit he said his party was ready to assist the BJP in the electioneering if called upon.

Both Joshi and Prabhu ruled out any confrontation with the National Democratic Alliance on the agenda and programmes mentioned in its election manifesto and reiterated their commitment to the NDA.

However, the constituents of the alliance may have different opinions on other matters, they said.

Referring to the rich mineral resources of Bihar, they said the state, though possessing the potential to cater to the entire nation, was unfortunately among the most backward states, with high levels of corruption and the law and order situation in shambles.

Pledging to develop Bihar after the election, they said the Shiv Sena would try to revive the state's lost dignity.

Announcing their intention to launch a movement for the have-nots of the state, they charged the present rulers for the poverty of the state.

Prabhu pointed out that northern Bihar regularly faced floods while the Santhal Parganas region had fallen prey to deforestation.

Besides, the state was also not getting proper royalty for its mines and minerals, he said, suggesting that the state could run well if it channelised its internal resources.

UNI

Assembly Election 2000

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