Tuesday, March 1 2005 09:36 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Asserting that the party was committed to formation of secular Governments in Bihar and Jharkhand, Congress last night (Feb 28, 2005) said party chief Sonia Gandhi would hold talks with RJD (Rashtriya Janata Dal) supremo Laloo Prasad and Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) leader Ram Vilas Paswan on the crucial issue.

"Gandhi would hold talks with Laloo and Paswan as we are committed to progressive secular Governments in the two States," party spokesman Anand Sharma told reporters.

Announcing that the party would be staking its claim to form Government in Jharkhand, he said Gandhi had appointed two senior party leaders - Priyaranjan Dasmunsi and Ajit Jogi - as observers for the State to supervise election of a CLP (Congress Legislative Party) leader as also to firm up the strategy for Government formation.

He said a Congress-JMM (Jharkand Mukti Morcha) Government in Jharkhand would be supported by RJD, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and Left parties.

To a question, he said the names of observer for Bihar had not been finalised but efforts were being made to see that BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party)-led NDA (National Democratic Alliance) was kept out of power.

Asked whether the outcome in the two States were a setback to the party, he said, "It has been our endeavour to increase our strength.... we are disappointed.

"There will be an in-depth analysis on this and party will take a decision accordingly," he added.