Saturday, February 26 2005 10:43 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: In the backdrop of exit poll projections of a hung Assembly in Bihar, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief and Railway Minister Laloo Prasad yesterday (Feb 25, 2005) hinted at taking the support of Congress, independents and Left parties in Government formation if the situation so warranted.

He, however, appeared to rule out taking the support of either Janata Dal-United (JD-U) or Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) in Government-formation and said he was hopeful RJD would form a Government of its own.

However, he claimed there was no dearth of support for RJD and if the situation so demanded "there are Left parties, Congress and other allies. Beside, there are independents".

"LJP chief Ramvilas Paswan has already stated on many occasions that he will have no truck with the RJD. JD-U leader Nitish Kumar is part of National Democratic Alliance (NDA). Why he would be leaving NDA? Then where is the question of taking their support?" Laloo told reporters in New Delhi.

Accusing Congress and a section of the media of creating confusion aimed at "Laloo Hatao" campaign in Bihar Assembly polls, Laloo said that the elections in the State were "free for all" but the target was RJD.

Charging the Election Commission (EC) of adopting different yardstick on conducting re-polls, he said, "Why there were separate standards for deciding on the issue?"

"Poll observer, after poll observer were sent to create a panic among the voters. Even weapons were planted and shown on certain electronic media that they were meant for looting booths," he said.