Monday, May 23 2005 11:20 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: The Bihar Assembly was dissolved today (May 23, 2005) with President A P J Abdul Kalam, away in Moscow, accepting a recommendation to this effect by the Union Cabinet, which met in New Delhi late last night (May 22, 2005).

The dissolution comes in the wake of heightened political activities in recent days triggered by a section of MLAs belonging to Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan's Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) breaking away from him in a bid to form a National Democratic Alliance (NDA) Government led by Janata Dal-United (JDU). The dissolution promptly evoked protests from Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and other NDA partners.

Announcing the presidential approval of the Union Cabinet's recommendation, Home Minister Shivraj Patil told reporters it was done to prevent "horse trading".

The State Governor Buta Singh had made the recommendation for the dissolution of the Assembly to the Centre, Patil said.

"Since the situation was worsening in the State, the Union Cabinet accepted the recommendations of the Bihar Governor and recommended dissolution of the Assembly to the President," he said.

In the elections held to the 243 member State Assembly earlier this year no party or alliance had obtained a clear majority. The State was therefore brought under President's rule and the Assembly kept under suspended animation so far.

"It is now for the Election Commission to hold polls in Bihar," the Home Minister said.

Patil said the Bihar Governor, in his report to the Centre, had said, "Unconstitutional and illegal steps were being taken by political parties to win over MLAs."

He said the Bihar Governor had written two letters to the Centre pointing out that horse trading was taking place.

"In the first letter, the Governor had brought the issue of horse trading to the notice of the Centre a few days back but had not suggested dissolution of the assembly."

"In the second letter (yesterday), the Governor recommended dissolution of the Assembly as unconstitutional, illegal and unacceptable developments were taking place in the State," the Home Minister said.

The Governor's report was similar to the information available with the Centre, which was corroborated by some political leaders from the State, he said.

Patil said, "One group in the State has been trying to indulge in horse trading and winning over MLAs belonging to the other political group." Efforts were also being made to fly some MLAs from Jamshedpur to other places, he said.

"To prevent the situation from worsening and getting further polluted, the Union Cabinet decided to dissolve the House," the Home Minister said.