Sonia Gandhi calls Nitish Kumar an opportunist

Kishanganj (Bihar), Oct 18 (ANI): Launching veiled attack on Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Congress President Sonia Gandhi on Monday described Nitish as an opportunistic politician.

Addressing an election rally here, Sonia Gandhi attacked Nitish Kumar for aligning with 'non-secular' parties.

She said: "Leaders who claim to be secular have joined non-secular parties."

Echoing Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's statement on Saturday, Sonia Gandhi claimed that the Centre has spent crores for the development of Bihar.

On the issue of development in Bihar, she too Sonia attacked the Nitish-led Bihar government. "No electricity, no industries, no schools or colleges in Bihar," she said.

Seeking vote for the Congress candidate, she said that congress has never made compromise on secular policies.

She appealed voters to exercise their franchise in favour of Congress candidate for better development of the state.

She said parties other than Congress do not have the will to develop Bihar.

Earlier, Addressing an election rally in Bihar's Araria district, Dr Singh said: " The Centre is giving so much money to Bihar, yet no work happens 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."

"Since 2004, till now, the Centre has given Rs 6000 crores 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".

The six-phase polls for 243 seats begins from October 21 and concludes on November 20.

Counting of votes will take place on November 24. (ANI)