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Vajpayee seeks co-operation of all parties for development

P K Chakravarty in Karanpura

Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee today said political parties, irrespective of their ideological differences, should co-operate with the government in improving the lives of the common people.

Laying the foundation stone for the 2000MW North Karanpura super thermal power project being constructed by the National Thermal Power Corporation in Bihar's Jharkhand region, he called upon the opposition parties not to politicise issues relating to India's development.

"For the development of the country, we need peace, law-and-order, and an efficient administration," he said.

But in some parts of the country, the administration is not discharging its obligations, such as protecting people of different castes, creeds, religions and regions.

He regretted that funds meant for development are not used properly.

No economic progress and social change can be effected by violating the rule of law and the Constitution, and shouting slogans or forming senas, he said.

Vajpayee said the state government should be responsible for development and the enforcement of law-and-order in Bihar. The Centre is not happy to take over the state's administration, he said.

He said it was ironic that despite the abundant availability of natural resources, the state remains poor. No sincere efforts were made in the last 50 years for its development, he said.

UNI

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