Tuesday, May 24 2005 17:20 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: The NDA (National Democratic Alliance) today (May 24, 2005) declared that JDU (Janata Dal United) leader Nitish Kumar would continue to be its Chief Ministerial candidate in the next Assembly polls in Bihar even as it had not given up plans to move court to challenge dissolution of the State Assembly.

"Nitish Kumar will be our Chief Ministerial candidate," BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) President L K Advani said at a press conference called to release report card on UPA (United Progressive Alliance) Government's one year in office.

Replying to another question, he said moves are afoot to approach court against the way the Assembly was dissolved when Government formation was on cards.

"An Opposition Government was about to come to power and therefore deliberately without giving any opportunity to any party to try proving majority, the Assembly was dissolved", he said attacking the decision taken by the Centre.

Singling out Railway Minister Laloo Prasad for attack, especially on the issue of his demand for removal of two Election Commissioners, Advani said if any such thing would have been said by any Minister in the NDA regime, he would have been out the next day.

The NDA's report card also took exception to the style of functioning and several utterances of Bihar Governor Buta Singh, whose recall has already been demanded by the Opposition allies.

NDA convener and former Defence Minister George Fernandes had a dig at Buta Singh by recalling that those who faced court case for horse-trading are now talking of such developments.

He alleged that what the Governor was saying was false.