Wednesday, March 23 2005 15:08 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Hajipur (Bihar): Former Chief Minister Rabri Devi has lashed out at Lok Janashakti Party (LJP) president Ram Vilas Paswan for his claim of success in dislodging Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) from power in Bihar, currently under President's rule, and asserted that her party got lesser seats because of its own people.

"Neither Paswan nor National Democratic Alliance (NDA) defeated us. We (RJD) got lesser number of seats in the Assembly polls because of our own people," she told reporters yesterday (Mar 22, 2005) during a visit to Raghopur Assembly constituency.

Despite poll results throwing a fractured mandate, the RJD emerged as the single largest party with 75 seats in its kitty, she pointed out.

"Moreover, has anybody else managed to form a Government in Bihar to claim that the RJD has been thrown out of power," she wondered.

The RJD leader also criticised Paswan for "weakening" the secular forces. If he (Paswan) and the NDA joined hands to form an "opportunist" Government, the RJD was prepared to sit in the Opposition in the Vidhan Sabha, she said.

Rabri, who won from Rahgopur Assembly seat, which is part of Paswan's Hajipur Lok Sabha constituency, began her marathon visit yesterday afternoon.

The former Chief Minister, who criss-crossed the Assembly constituency in seven hours, participated in a 'mahayagna' and interacted with people of different villages thanking them for reposing faith on her.

She also promised that no effort would be spared to ensure development of the area.

Rabri had defeated her LJP rival Rajeev Ranjan by over 25,000 votes in last Assembly election.