Tuesday, February 1 2005 12:12 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Patna: Attacking the Centre's ruling UPA (United Progressive Alliance) for indulging in "match-fixing" in Bihar, BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) president L K Advani yesterday (Jan 31, 2005) asserted that the NDA (National Democratic Alliance) was the only alternative before the electorate seeking to dislodge the present dispensation.

''The UPA constituents - Congress, RJD (Rashtriya Janata Dal) and LJP (Lok Janshakti Party) - which are sharing power at the Centre, have engaged in 'match-fixing' in Bihar. NDA, comprising the BJP and JD-U (Janata Dal-United) in Bihar, is the only alternative before the electorate seeking to dislodge the Rabri Devi Government. Casting vote for anyone else means that Laloo's rule continues,'' he said addressing a joint press conference with JD-U president and NDA convenor George Fernandes.

While asserting that Bihar was '' in for a change'', Advani, who addressed election rallies at Buxar, Bhabhua and Ara with Fernandes, said, ''It is because we (BJP and JD-U) have entered into an honest partnership and the people are fed up with absolute lack of development during the last 15 years of Laloo-Rabri rule.''

Claiming that support for NDA candidates was growing with each passing day, Fernandes echoed Advani's views and without naming Ramvilas Paswan's LJP said, ''All these UPA allies will come together once they see power.''

''This election is being fought between the NDA and the rest. The fight is also between the people and the State-sponsored oppression of the RJD Government,'' he said.