Manmohan Singh should speak as economist, not politician: BJP

New Delhi, Oct 17 (ANI): Commenting on Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh's remarks that Bihar is not progressing despite availability of Central funds, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday said that Dr. Singh should have made that remark as an economist and not as a politician.

Addressing media here, Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley said: " Central funds are not the property of the Congress party. The Prime Minister should have made that remark on Bihar as an economist," said Jaitley.

BJP spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad, however, asked Dr. Singh not to mislead the people by saying that funds provided by the Centre are not used by the state government for the development of the people.

On the issue of central aid, Prasad said, "the Centre has not provided for any special funds and obliged Bihar, but it has only passed on the money that rightfully belongs to the people, in the manner that it is goes to every state from the Centre."

Addressing an election rally Bihar's Araria district on Saturday, 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".

"You have seen successive governments during the past 20 years, please give the Congress a chance which alone under the leadership of Sonia Gandhi will ensure all-round growth," he added.

Holding the past RJD governments and the current one of Nitish Kumar responsible for Bihar's plight, Dr. Singh had also said the Congress led by Sonia Gandhi alone could ensure all-round growth of the state.

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)