Saturday, May 14 2005 13:28 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Patna: Ram Vilas Paswan launches a scathing attack against Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) for reject his formula for Government formation in Bihar.

Launching a scathing attack on RJD for rejecting his formula for Government formation in Bihar envisaging a Muslim Chief Minister of the Congress, Lok Janashakti Party (LJP) president Ramvilas Paswan today (May 14, 2005) said Laloo Prasad's party would be held responsible if National Democratic Alliance (NDA) Government was installed in the State.

Paswan, whose formula received a lukewarm response from the Congress, said if Congress could extend support to the RJD in its bid to form Government, why couldn't the RJD back a Muslim Chief Minister of the Congress for the sake of secularism.

''Indeed, the Congress with just 10 MLAs is a minor United Progressive Alliance (UPA) partner in Bihar, but why is RJD not prepared to lend support to a Congress-led Government headed by a Muslim for the sake of secularism...after all, Congress has made big sacrifices in supporting H D Deve Gowda and I K Gujral Governments despite being the larger party. The RJD should show similar generosity," he told reporters.

Asserting that his party, whose 29 MLAs were crucial to formation of any government in the state, would not compromise on the issue of a Muslim Chief Minister, the LJP leader said, ''Either there would be a Muslim Chief Minister or President's rule will continue."

Amid reported threats of a split in his party due to continuing uncertainty over Government formation, Paswan alleged that the NDA was trying to poach LJP MLAs but claimed the newly elected legislators were united under his leadership.

Assailing the NDA, particularly Janata Dal United (JDU), for trying to poach LJP MLAs, Paswan said, "Ek taraf to JDU dosti ka haath badhata hai aur doosri taraf peeth mein chura bhonkti hai". (While extending a hand of friendship the JDU is indulging in back-stabbing).

"They (NDA) will never be able to form a Government," Paswan declared.

When asked why he had softened his earlier stand of neither giving nor taking support from the RJD in the process of Government formation, the LJP leader said, "I have stooped so that a secular Government led by a Muslim can be formed."

He also accused RJD president Laloo Prasad of having cheated the Muslims during 15 years of his party rule.

"If a Government of communal NDA is installed in Bihar, Laloo Prasad will be held responsible for it and not Ram Vilas Paswan," he said, adding even Communist Party of India (CPI) general secretary A B Bardhan had welcomed his formula saying it was "worth consideration".

The RJD while rejecting Paswan's formula as "outdated" has said it was aimed only at keeping his flock of 29 MLAs together.

"This is a formula brought right from a museum. The LJP MLAs are a desperate lot and they want a Government to be formed so on. It is just an attempt to make them feel that he is on the job (for Government formation)," RJD national spokesman Shivanand Tiwari had said on Thursday (May 12, 2005) while reacting to Paswan's formula.