BJP launches bypoll drive in Uma bastion

Malehra, MP, Sep 4 (UNI) Launching the BJP's assembly bypoll campaign in BJS founder Uma Bharti's stronghold, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan today said several promises of development had been made for the area but the true development process would begin now.

''I have resolved to make this an ideal constituency. A much-awaited college will be set up and the staff has already been selected,'' he said at a public meeting here and laid the foundation stone for development-linked work exceeding Rs 23 crore besides announcing several schemes worth more than Rs 24 crore.

The announcements related to irrigation, access roads to different panchayats, potable water conservation, electrification of tribal areas and inclusion of every village in the area under DPIP.

''Madhya Pradesh is no longer a 'Bimaru' state as it recently received an award, instituted by a leading magazine and presented by President A P J Abdul Kalam, for its development pace. I will wholeheartedly endeavour to place Madhya Pradesh in the ranks of developed states within two-and-a-half years,'' Mr Chouhan added.

Among those present were cabinet ministers Narendra Singh Tomar, Jayant Malaiyya, Anup Mishra, Gopal Bhargava and Ajay Vishnoi.

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