Monday, January 31 2005 19:05 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Alleging that an "extraordinary situation" existed in Bihar in terms of law and order, BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) today (Jan 31, 2005) asked the Election Commission (EC) to deploy more Central para-military forces in the State under its direct observation, as it "doubted" the non-partisan attitude of the State's official machinery.

A BJP delegation, led by its Vice-President Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, also charged Laloo Prasad's party with seeking to play the communal card by using the issue of Gujarat riots for electioneering and asked the EC to take "punitive" action, including de-recognition of the RJD (Rashtriya Janata Dal), for violation of Election Model Code of Conduct.

"The Commission is well aware of the intimidating atmosphere that has been built on the yet unsolved issue of serial kidnapping of school children, the murder of a candidate and attack on a helicopter in which (BJP leader) Venkaiah Naidu was travelling," the six-member delegation said in a memorandum to the EC.

The party charged that the approach of the Rabri Devi Government reflected, "Total apathy that prevails in the Bihar administration to the serious deterioration in law and order situation of that State."

"The continued worsening of law and order situation presents a grim picture of the poll scenario," it said.

Maintaining that "this apathy" in normal circumstances is "cause enough for dismissing the Bihar Government and imposing the President's rule in Bihar," it said the party had to turn to the EC.