Wednesday, February 9 2005 16:17 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Darbhanga (Bihar): Charging the RJD (Rashtriya Janata Dal) regime for being "responsible for backwardness and lack of basic facilities" in Bihar, former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpaye today (Feb 9, 2005) called upon the electorate to vote for the NDA "to help build a new Bihar".

Addressing an election meeting at the crowded Raj Maidan in Darbhanga to canvass support for the NDA (National Democratic Alliance) candidates in Mithilanchal in Bihar, Vajpayee said, "Development has come to a standstill. There is lack of job avenues for youths and poverty and unemployment have increased."

"Roads are in extremely bad shape and there is lack of drinking water. There is no arrangement for medicines for patients and the State also lags behind on the educational front," the former PM said and asked the State Government to explain what had it done for Bihar during the 15-year rule.

"The change of power will help build a new Bihar," he said.

Enlisting the achievements of the NDA Government during its six- year rule at the centre, Vajpayee said that his Government had plugged the potholes and constructed new roads "but in the meantime, it (NDA) was voted out of power and the condition is so bad that there are only potholes seen along the roads."