Wednesday, May 25 2005 20:34 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Munger (Bihar): Seeking to steer clear of the NDA's (National Democratic Alliance) accusation of his being behind dissolution of the Bihar Assembly, Railway Minister Laloo Prasad today (May 25, 2005) said the UPA (United Progressive Alliance) Government accepted the advice of Governor Buta Singh while dissolving the Assembly as elected representatives failed to cobble together a majority to form a Government.

"The allegation that the Assembly was dissolved at my behest is rubbish," Prasad, who is also RJD (Rashtriya Janata Dal) president, said.

He was addressing a gathering after laying the foundation stone of a rail overbridge near Bariarpur railway station, about 20 kms from Munger. "The Assembly was dissolved as the elected representatives of the House failed to form a Government and the Centre was left with no option other than taking such a constitutional and legal step to enable the political parties to go to the people's court to seek a fresh mandate, he said.

Prasad appealed to the people to give the RJD one more chance to foster a new era of development.