Monday, April 4 2005 18:45 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: The CPI (Communist Party of India) today (Apr 4, 2005) warned LJP (Lok Janshakti Party) chief Ramvilas Paswan against "riding in two boats" saying there was no point in his talking to JDU (Janata Dal United) leader Nitish Kumar on Government formation in Bihar as the latter had never said he would sever ties with BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party).

"Paswan is talking to Nitish while still being part of the UPA (United Progressive Alliance). On his part, Nitish has not even once said that his party would break ties with the BJP. Till the time he is with BJP, there is no point talking to him", CPI (Communist Party of India) general secretary A B Bardhan told a BBC programme after being re-elected to the post at the just-concluded party Congress.

He said it was "unfortunate" that UPA constituents like RJD (Rashtriya Janata Dal) and LJP (Lok Janshakti Party) were having differences. "But Paswan is trying to ride in two boats and remember those who ride in two boats are drowned in the middle and cannot reach the shores".

In the interview on 'Aapki Baat, BBC ke Saath' programme, Bardhan also criticised Congress for trying "unilaterally" to increase its political clout in Bihar and Jharkhand.

"Congress formed a unilateral alliance in Jharkhand without consulting the Left and other parties and tried the same thing in Bihar, with the result that the BJP which could have been easily defeated in Jharkhand, has retained power there and Bihar has no Government today", the CPI leader said.

He, however, added that Congress leadership has understood that the days of single-party rule are over and there is no possibility of that any more.