Monday, August 22 2005 12:27 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: National Democratic Alliance (NDA) MPs today (August 22, 2005) gave notices for an adjournment motion in the Lok Sabha against the recommendation made to Railway Minister and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) Chief Lalu Prasad Yadav for the transfer of a Railway official by Bihar Governor Buta Singh.

Notices have been given, among others, by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Deputy leader in Lok Sabha, by BJP leader Vijay Kumar Malhotra, party Vice President Sushil Kumar Modi and Janata Dal-United (JD-U) leader Prabhunath Singh.

"We've also given notices to raise the issue during Zero Hour and for suspension of Question Hour. We are waiting for the Speaker's ruling," Malhotra told PTI after a 30-minute-long meeting of NDA leaders, Chaired by Leader of Opposition, L K Advani.

However, NDA sources said the alliance leaders wanted the motion to be taken up only tomorrow (August 23, 2005) as many of its MPs have not returned to the capital after the three-day weekend beginning Raksha Bandhan festival on Friday (August 19, 2005).

JD (U) leader Nitish Kumar, and Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leaders D K Tripathi and B J Panda were among those who attended the meeting.

Describing as 'highly improper' the Bihar Governor's recommendation for transfer of a Railway official, BJP had demanded his recall to ensure free and fair polls in the state.

"It was highly improper for the Governor to have written to the Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav. Both are getting postings and transfers of their choice done through each other. The upcoming Assembly elections cannot be free and fair in such circumstances," Malhotra said.