Tuesday, February 8 2005 14:45 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Patna: Mounting a scathing attack on the RJD (Rashtriya Janata Dal), Uma Bharati, one of the star campaigners of BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) for the Assembly polls, today (Feb 8, 2005) said, "For RJD secularism was only a 'tool' to cling to power".

''For RJD secularism is not an article of faith,'' the firebrand leader told reporters and asserted that corruption (not communalism), crime, price rise and unemployment were major issues in the Assembly polls in the State.

Bharti claimed that the 'Muslim-Yadav' combination of Laloo Prasad had been broken and even the RJD president's own castemen are a disillusioned lot due to his nepotism.

She denied the reported differences within the BJP over who should become Chief Minister in the event of NDA (National Democratic Alliance) coming to power saying, ''I have even spoken to BJP President L K Advani and there is unanimity in the party on JDU (Janata Dal-United) leader Nitish Kumar donning the mantle if we come to power.''

State BJP President Gopal Narain Singh had yesterday said the Chief Ministership issue was still undecided and the MLAs of the party and JDU would settle it with mutual consent after the victory.

Bharti, who addressed scores of election meetings in the State over the last 10 days, charged the Congress and Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) with having a 'covert' understanding with the RJD.

''This drama is being enacted only to split the anti-Laloo votes. Prasad and Paswan are making accusations against each other only to deceive the voters and after the polls they will definitely come together,'' she charged.