Tuesday, March 8 2005 21:02 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Kolkata: Union Water Resources Minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunshi today (Mar 8, 2005) accused BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) of 'kidnapping the five independent MLAs of Jharkhand and keeping them in captivity in Rajasthan'.

''Five Independent MLAs were herded into the Raj Bhavan in Ranchi by Tiruleswar Jha, the most wanted criminal in that State and taken into captivity. If the BJP is so confident about their numbers why are they keeping them confined,'' Dasmunshi who was the Congress observer in Jharkhand told a meet-the-press programme at the press club in Kolkata.

Denying that he had put any pressure on the Jharkhand Governor Syed Sibtey Razi to invite Shibu Soren to form the Government, Dasmunshi said that his job was restricted only to forming the United Progressive Alliance in Jharkhand. ''I have not done anything else,'' he said.

''I had not stayed in Raj Bhavan, neither I used any official vehicle. Even a constable was not provided to me although I am a Central Minister while BJP leaders Rajnath Singh and M Venkaiah Naidu were given security,'' he said.

Dasmunshi also said the Jharkhand party chief N E Horo had clearly stated that his party had fought against the BJP and charged the BJP with 'forcibly taking his party MLA Enos Ekka.'

To a question that the BJP has expressed apprehension that law and order situation in that State might deteriorate before the confidence vote scheduled on March 15, Dasmunshi retorted that BJP had no right to talk about law and order, especially after Gujarat incidents.

''BJP is now talking about law and order because they have kept the independents in captivity. They are making so much of noise. But one should know what happened in the green room. I know what kind of operation they do,'' he said.

To a question, Dasmunshi however, declined to make any comment on the Governor's decision to invite Soren.