Lalu appeals Ramtek people to choose between progress and hatred

Nagpur, Apr 6 (UNI) Union Railway Minister and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) President Lalu Prasad Yadav today said the April 9 by-election to Ramtek Lok Sabha constituency in Vidarbha region of Maharashtra was an opportunity for the electorate to choose between progress and hatred.

Addressing a massive election rally at Katol, about 58 kms from here, in support of Congress candidate Subodh Mohite, Mr Yadav said the voters in Ramtek must decide what path they wanted the country to take in future.

''Do the people want peace, progress, development and prosperity or do they want communal hatred, riots, conflict and backwardness? Only communal harmony can ensure development in the country.

Religious intolerance disturbs peace and retards progress,'' Mr Yadav said adding that the electorate must vote for secular forces and not for communal parties if they wanted progress.

Mr Yadav asserted that the country should have cordial relations with neighbouring countries like Pakistan and Bangladesh to ensure development.

Lashing out at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for issuing a controversial compact disc (CD) with provocative content for the ensuing Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, Mr Yadav said political parties must not whip up communal passions to attract votes.

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