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Bihar CM Nitish Kumar mixes PM Modi's name with Atal Bihari Vajpayee during speech in Rohtas; Check video

Bihar CM Nitish Kumar mixes PM Modi's name with Atal Bihari Vajpayee during speech in Rohtas; Check video

Economic Times3 days ago

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Ahead of crucial Bihar polls , state chief minister Nitish Kumar on Friday mixed up Prime Minister Narendra Modi's name with former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee . Realising the error, he quickly attempted to recover, and asked the crowd to stand and "pranam" PM Modi The moment added to a growing list of incidents that have raised concerns over Kumar's public conduct and his health.Bihar is heading toward assembly elections this November, with Nitish Kumar's JD(U) aligned with the BJP as part of the ruling NDA coalition.The state has 243 assembly seats up for contest.A major highlight of the Prime Minister's visit to Bihar is the foundation stone laying for Stage-II (3x800 MW) of the Nabinagar Super Thermal Power Project in Aurangabad district, valued at over Rs 29,930 crore.The project is expected to significantly boost electricity generation, industrial development, and employment in the region.PM Modi will also lay the foundation stone for key road infrastructure initiatives, including the four-laning of the Patna-Arrah-Sasaram section of NH-119A, six-laning of the Varanasi-Ranchi-Kolkata highway (NH-319B), the Ramnagar-Kacchi Dargah stretch (NH-119D), and a new Ganga bridge between Buxar and Bharauli.In addition, the PM will inaugurate the four-laning of the Patna-Gaya-Dobhi section of NH-22 and road upgrades at Gopalganj Town on NH-27.In the rail sector, the Prime Minister will dedicate to the nation the third rail line between Son Nagar and Mohammad Ganj, constructed at a cost of over Rs1,330 crore, aimed at enhancing rail capacity and regional connectivity.The Prime Minister will also lay the foundation stone of the new civil enclave at Bihta Airport, a Rs1,410 crore project aimed at serving the rapidly expanding educational and residential areas near Patna.

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