Monday, February 21 2005 20:14 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Asansol (WB): CPI (Communist Party of India) general secretary A B Bardhan today (Feb 21, 2005) discounted the possibility of Lok Janashakti Party (LJP) chief Ram Vilas Paswan getting the numbers to hold the key to forming the next Government in Bihar and said that the main role in forming a secular Government would certainly fall on the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD).

Asked about Paswan's statement that he would emerge as the king in post-poll scenario, Bardhan told reporters that he did not think so. ''This is not going to happen. This is my assessment. There is a deliberate attempt by some people to give him more than a lifesize image. But I don't think he will be in that position to be either king or kingmaker.''

Bardhan said even if Paswan had denied it, the fact that he spoke about President's rule in Bihar was an indication of lack of faith in being in any position either to be king or kingmaker. ''This was a measure of his frustration''.

To a question that veteran CPM (Communist Party of India) leader Jyoti Basu had stated that Congress should take the lead in forming a secular Government in Bihar, the CPI general secretary said that he had meant it politically.

To form a secular Government in Bihar, the main role would certainly fall on RJD. But obviously the RJD and Congress would have to join to form a secular Government. They are together even now at the Centre. It should not be difficult, Bardhan said.