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          Patna , Oct 28 (IANS) Launching a scathing attack against caste (jaat-paat) politics  of Bihar, Congress president Sonia Gandhi Thursday appealed to the voters to  reject it and vote for her party to ensure development of the state.  
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	  'In Bihar, caste politics is in practice, which is neither good for the country  nor for the state. It is also not good for common man. I appeal to voters to  reject caste politics for a developed and prosperous Bihar,' she said,  addressing an election rally in Bhagalpur assembly constituency.
  Gandhi targeted the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government led by  Nitish Kumar in the state, dubbing it as an example of opportunistic politics.  'Nitish Kumar is talking about secularism but continuing an alliance with a  communal party. It has exposed his true face of opportunistic politics,' she  said. Gandhi said that unlike others, Congress stands for development and never  makes big promises.
  'The Bihar government blamed the central government for its failure to  deliver or fulfil promises. Crores of rupees were provided by the central  government for Bihar's development, but they did not reach the people,' she  said, adding she heard of 'rampant corruption and irregularities in  implementing schemes'. Attacking the Bihar government for failing to spend and utilise funds  provided by the central government for development of the state, she noted  there is no electricity in 'Silk City' Bhagalpur, thus badly hitting the  industry and weavers.
  Gandhi, who is on her second visit to Bihar to campaign for the party  candidates, will address another election rally in Begusarai.   The Congress is contesting for all 243 assembly seats on its own.   Voting was under way Thursday in the third phase of Bihar's elections, in 48  constituencies spread across six districts. The next rounds of the six-phase  elections will be held Nov 1, 9 and 20. Votes will be counted Nov 24.    
      
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