Sunday, July 31 2005 11:06 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Playing the Muslim card to the hilt ahead of the Assembly polls in Bihar, Lok Janashakti Party (LJP) President Ram Vilas Paswan yesterday night (July 30, 2005) said that the Dalit- Muslim combine accounting for 40 per cent of the electorate in the State, could form a formidable front.

"Muslim-Dalit combination with 40 per cent population is capable of placing a person from the minority community in the chief minister's chair... I stand firm on my decision to fight for a Muslim Chief Minister in the State," he said on the sidelines of a function organised by All India Muslim Intellectual Forum in New Delhi.

On possible alliance with other parties to form a Government in the State, he said, "With support from Dalit-Muslim front there is no need to go with anybody to form a Government."

Talks with other parties are only possible if they agree on the demand of having a Muslim Chief Minister, the Union Chemical and Fertilizer Minister said in his first public appearance after the heart attack.

"I am not fighting elections for political gains. My fight is for bringing equality for all sections... people from a large section do not find themselves safe in the State, which is not good for democracy," he said.

He said people have now seen the real face of BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) after L K Advani's visit to Pakistan and the saffron party "will never come to power at the Centre."