Friday, March 11 2005 10:42 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: The deadlock over Government-formation in Bihar persisted yesterday (Mar 10, 2005) with Janata Dal-United (JD-U) refusing to part ways with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Lok Janashakti Party (LJP) leader Ram Vilas Paswan rejecting National Democratic Alliance (NDA's) plea to leave United Progressive Alliance (UPA).

JD-U leader Sharad Yadav told reporters in New Delhi that if Paswan could manage 67 more MLAs for a simple majority in the 243-member State Assembly, JD-U MLAs would support the alternative. "But, we cannot offset the shortage of 67 MLAs. Let Paswan do it."

He said that at the moment Paswan was sure of 67 MLAs's support, "I am prepared to sit with him and stitch an alternative."

Paswan stuck to his stand that the figures could be worked out only after JD-U severed its links with the saffron party. "I cannot leave the UPA to send the message that I am siding with communal forces. I cannot ditch Muslims," he said.

Spurning Yadav's demand that Paswan leave UPA if he wanted the support of his 55 MLAs, the LJP leader tossed the ball back to JD-U demanding that it first come out of BJP-led NDA.

On who should take the first step, Yadav said it was definitely Paswan as he is in the Government "and we cannot take it for granted that he will leave UPA after we support a formation sans RJD or BJP".