Wednesday, March 2 2005 11:26 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) president L K Advani today (Mar 2, 2005) spoke to Home Minister Shivraj Patil and protested against the Jharkhand Governor's "delaying tactics" in inviting the NDA (National Democratic Alliance) for Government formation.

The Opposition alliance also decided not to allow transaction of normal business in Parliament till the NDA is invited to form Government in the State.

"We have decided not to allow normal functioning of the two Houses till the NDA is invited to form the next Government in Jharkhand," BJP Parliamentary party spokesman V K Malhotra told reporters after a 30-minute meeting of top NDA leaders.

The meeting was attended by NDA convenor George Fernandes, BJP president L K Advani, JDU (Janata Dal United) leaders Nitish Kumar, Sharad Yadav and Shiv Sena leader Anant Geethe, besides senior BJP leaders Sushma Swaraj, SS Ahluwalia, Shiv Raj Singh Chauhan and Venkaiah Naidu.

Malhotra said the Opposition members could even resort to a sit-in (dharna) in the House on the issue.

The NDA leaders are also expected to call on President A P J Abdul Kalam later this evening and protest against Jharkhand Governor Syed Sibte Razi's action, in the event of the alliance not being invited by then for Government formation in the State.

Malhotra said Advani had earlier today spoken to Patil and the latter assured him that he would talk to the Jharkhand Governor.

The alliance had yesterday paraded its 36 MLAs and five independents before the Governor and staked claim to form Government as they have the support of 41 MLAs in the 81-member House.

However, the Governor told them that he would consider their claim only after he was personally convinced and after talking to the independents separately.