Thursday, February 24 2005 18:18 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Patna: With exit poll projecting a hung Assembly in Bihar, State Congress president Ramjatan Sinha today (Feb 24, 2005) would not join hands with the RJD (Rashtriya Janata Dal) forming Government.

"We are firm in our opinion not to side with the RJD in forming the next Government in Bihar. The party's State unit will make a formal request to our national president Sonia Gandhi in this regard after declaration of the results on February 27," Bihar Pradesh Congress Committee president Sinha told a press conference in Patna.

RJD president Laloo Prasad and Chief Minister Rabri Devi had targeted Sonia Gandhi in course of their campaigning, he said charging the RJD leaders with "mud slinging against the Congress."

"We will not make any compromise on the issue of kidnapping, crime and law and order and we firmly believe that continuing our relation with the RJD will be suicidal," he said.

Terming the RJD and BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) as "two faces of the same coin", Sinha said, "While one is spreading caste hatred, another represents communal forces."

Accusing RJD president Laloo Prasad of "having tacit understanding" with BJP vice president S K Modi, he said, "Laloo even staged a road show for ensuring my defeat in Patna (Central) Assembly constituency to benefit the BJP."

He also charged the RJD Government with "shielding Modi in the cobalt machine purchase scam of the IGIMS here."

Meanwhile, Congress candidate and State INTUC president Chandra Prakash Singh accused the State Congress president Sinha of "having betrayed him by favouring LJP (Lok Janshakti Party) candidate in Vikram constituency."