Friday, May 20 2005 14:42 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Alleging that the appointment of an advisor to the Bihar Governor and transfers of district magistrates at loggerheads with RJD (Rashtriya Janata Dal) leaders were done under pressure from RJD President Laloo Prasad, Lok Janashakti Party (LJP) chief Ram Vilas Paswan today (May 20, 2005) it had raised a question over the impartiality of President's Rule imposed in the State.

In a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA (United Progressive Alliance) Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Paswan said he was "surprised and anguished" over the manner in which Arun Pathak, who had held the post of Chief Secretary when Prasad was the Chief Minister, had been appointed as advisor to the Governor and district magistrates C K Anil and K K Pathak transferred from Siwan and Gopalganj.

He said that the appointment of Pathak and the transfer of the two IAS officers had raised a question mark on the impartiality of the President's Rule imposed in the State.

The LJP leader said when President's Rule was imposed in Bihar following a fractured verdict in the Assembly polls earlier this year, his views were sought on the appointment of an advisor to the Governor.

"I had not suggested any name to Home Minister Shivraj Patil saying that it was not necessary for a Governor to have an advisor as the State already had a Chief Secretary and an administrative machinery," he said.

Paswan, in his letter, said he had cautioned the Home Minister that if anyone was appointed as the Governor's advisor on the advice of RJD, it would send a 'wrong signal.'