Wednesday, March 30 2005 16:25 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Rajgir (Bihar): As formation of a non-Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) Government in Bihar makes no headway, senior Janata Dal United (JDU) leader Prabhunath Singh today (Mar 30, 2005) claimed that talks were "in advanced stage" with Lok Janashakti Party (LJP) president Ramvilas Paswan to cobble together a majority to form a Nitish Kumar-led Government "latest by next month".

Singh, JDU deputy leader in the Lok Sabha, also gave enough indications about a JDU-led coalition Government comprising the LJP, which holds the key to Government formation with its 29 MLAs, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) supporting it from outside.

''Don't go by media reports about Paswan's tough posturing on the issue of Government formation. The scene which looks darker at present is not really true,'' Singh told reporters in Rajgir on the penultimate day of his party's three-day brainstorming session to chart a fresh course of action to form a popular Government replacing the President's Rule, which it termed as "not a panacea" for the problems of Bihar.

''We we have made significant progress in our efforts to form a JDU-led Government,'' he contended.

Claiming that he had had several rounds of talks with Paswan on formation of a non-RJD Government, the JDU leader termed as "positive and encouraging" Paswan's response to Government-formation exercise.

He, however, admitted that there were "certain irritants" coming in the way of the exercise, but these things would be "sorted out in a congenial atmosphere for which efforts are moving in right direction".

Talking about a JDU plus LJP Government with the BJP supporting from outside, of which there is no official word "viable from either the LJP or BJP, Singh said, ''There is no National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Bihar.''

''NDA exists in Delhi alone, not in States,'' he said adding keeping in mind the ''politically ticklish situation, we hope the BJP will cooperate in the formation of an anti-RJD Government''.

He claimed that JDU leaders had already had talks with BJP leaders in this connection and their attitude, indeed, was "positive". ''We are friends and our friendship will take a new shape without any heartburn,'' Singh said without further elaboration.

Singh also made it clear that Government would be formed under the leadership of Nitish and ''we will not make any compromise on the issue of Chief Ministership''. Paswan had offered the post of CM to a minority leader of JDU in his bid to form a non-RJD Government.

''Even Paswanji has himself gone public saying he is not interested in becoming Chief Minister and will devote more time in national politics,'' he said.

In reply to another question, Singh said that the JDU would have no problem if the Congress intended to join the Government.

''At the same time I will like to make it clear that we have not had any direct talks with the Congress and it should come on its own or through Paswan if it really desires to join the Government,'' the JDU leader said.