Monday, March 28 2005 16:08 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: With no signs of a popular Government being installed in Bihar, Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) leader Ram Vilas Paswan today (March 28, 2005) repeated his conditions for formation of a Government saying JDU (Janata Dal United) should come out of NDA (National Democratic Alliance) and a Muslim should become Chief Minister.

"Out of NDA, JDU and other parties like CPML (Communist Party of India Marxist), CPI (Communist Party of India) and Samajwadi Party (SP) can join with us and form the Government in Bihar. President's rule is only a temporary phase," he told reporters in New Delhi.

"However, President's rule is better than RJD's. We are hopeful that a Government would be formed in Bihar and it would be against RJD," Paswan said.

He said a three-day meeting of party leaders would be held in Patna from April two to assess the impact of President's rule in Bihar.

Paswan ruled out the possibility of his being a contender for the post of Chief Ministership saying he was not aspiring for it.

"A Muslim can be Chief Minister," he added.

To a question whether he had met JDU leader Nitish Kumar on Government formation, he said, "Some leaders had met me from Nitish Kumar's side."

Asked whether he suggested any advisers to the State governor, he replied in the negative.

On a query whether there was any move by him to leaving the ruling UPA, he said, "I am not leaving UPA. For, the day I do it, it means that I am supporting NDA."

To another question if his party favoured fresh elections in view of the hung Assembly and none of the combinations coming together to form the Government, he said, "We are not in favour of fresh Assembly elections."