Tuesday, March 8 2005 10:35 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Lok Janashakti Party (LJP) president Ram Vilas Paswan welcomed the Union Cabinet's decision to impose President's rule in Bihar, saying he had made the request to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh when he spoke to him on Sunday (Mar 6, 2005).

Paswan hoped the Centre would send "good and competent" advisors to the State who would put it back on the rails by restoring law and order situation and improving the administration.

Asked why he did not attend the Cabinet meeting at the Prime Minister's residence, he said since it was discussing the imposition of President's rule in the State, "I did not want to go there. I have no enmity with anyone and I will attend future Cabinet meetings."

The Janata Dal-United yesterday (Mar 7, 2005) held Paswan responsible for pushing Bihar towards President's rule, which, it said, was "not the right solution".

"President's rule is not the right solution. The election was held for installation of a popular Government. But in the present circumstances, there was no other option," senior party leader Nitish Kumar said after the Union Cabinet recommended imposition of President's rule in the State.

He apprehended that Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) would continue to rule the State through "proxy" as it was an important ally of United Progressive Alliance (UPA) at the Centre and could influence the choice of advisors.

Paswan came in for almost all round criticism from opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-JD-U to Left parties and arch detractor RJD for imposition of President's rule in Bihar but Congress merely said it was due to the nature of the mandate.

"It is unfortunate that President's rule had to be imposed in the State. Paswan had contested on an anti-Laloo plank and respecting the mandate he should have joined hands with the largest pre-poll alliance led by Nitish Kumar of the JD-U," senior BJP leader V K Malhotra said. Similar sentiments were expressed by Kumar.

Shortly before the Union Cabinet took the decision, Laloo Prasad held Paswan responsible for the developments. "It is a conspiracy by Paswan to weaken secularism. He is responsible for pushing the State towards President's rule."

Congress spokesman Anand Sharma said that this was the only way left for the Government in view of the nature of the mandate and Cabinet had no choice but to accept it.

In an oblique attack on Paswan, Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPM) leader Sitaram Yechury said while RJD had staked claim, others were saying they were against the Laloo Prasad to form the Government. He wanted that the UPA should resolve the row between Laloo and Paswan.

BJP also expressed hope that the "Jungle Raj" in the State would come to an end with the Central rule.