Saturday, January 15 2005 22:10 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Patna: Accusing LJP (Lok Janshakti Party) of making "false claims", RJD (Rashtriya Janata Dal) supremo Laloo Prasad today (Jan 15, 2005) said no tie-up has been finalised between the Congress and LJP for the Bihar Assembly polls.

"LJP's false claims that it has sewn up a seat-sharing arrangement with the Congress proves that it is out to mislead the secular forces to benefit the communal and fascist elements represented by the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) and JDU (Janata Dal United)," Laloo told reporters, while reacting to the LJP's claim of having reached a seat-sharing accord with the Congress.

Claiming that it was apparent from the list of 56 candidates released by the LJP that the party had spared no seats for the Congress, he said it had even fielded candidates in all 17 seats where the Congress had declared the names of its candidates last night.

''(Ram Vilas) Paswan stands thoroughly exposed. By getting his party to make such false announcement, Paswan appears to be trying to save his berth in the UPA (United Progressive Alliance) Cabinet and to keep the Congress in good humour,'' he said.

Laloo further said that the Congress had released the list of 17 candidates and "we have decided not to put up our candidates against its (Congress) sitting MLAs".