Thursday, June 30 2005 16:08 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Chandigarh: Claiming the NDA (National Democratic Alliance) has emerged stronger in Bihar, BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) General Secretary Arun Jaitley today (Jun 30, 2005) said the party is ready to accommodate "new friends and the independents" into its fold, referring to the assembly elections due in the State later this year.

"The Congress party has lost its personality in Bihar and the RJD (Rashtriya Janata Dal) that has ruled the State for 15 years has been exposed for playing vote bank politics by appeasing a particular section of society," he said at a news conference held inside a police station in Chandigarh.

The BJP leader and 273 party workers were arrested and later released as they tried to march to Raj Bhawan as part of the party's week-long nationwide protest against the price hike of petrol, diesel and other commodities.

Ruling out "multiple fights" in the coming Bihar polls, he said there would be straight contests with small and marginal players not having much say in the outcome.

Jaitley also brushed aside the LJP (Lok Janshakti Party) factor, saying its chief Ram Vilas Paswan managed to get votes last time by playing the "anti-RJD card" but his hanging on to a ministerial portfolio at the Centre had exposed him.

Referring to the dissolution of the Bihar Assembly, Jaitley alleged, "It is a classic textbook example of misuse of article 356" and Governor Buta Singh had taken the plea while recommending the dissolution on "evidence of horse trading".

"The vindictive politics which the Congress-led UPA plays is evident from the fact when in the affidavit given before the Supreme Court the Government said the Bihar Assembly was dissolved to prevent 'possible' horse-trading, a climb-down from their earlier claim," the BJP leader added.