Thursday, September 8 2005 20:44 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: As 'Third Front' appeared to be taking shape in Bihar, Congress today (Sept 8, 2005) feared split in secular votes and asked Communist Party of India (CPI) to persuade Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) leader Ram Vilas Paswan to be part of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD)-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) in the Assembly polls.

"If CPI is a supporter and well wisher of UPA, then it is its duty to persuade Paswan to contest the elections jointly with other UPA partners," AICC General Secretary Digvijay Singh said.

Singh told the CPI any split in secular votes benefited the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

His comments came hours after CPI warned the Congress to 'tread very cautiously' as any attempt to 'drive out' Paswan will mark the 'beginning of the crack' in the UPA as an anti-RJD, anti-BJP 'Third Front' started taking shape for the Assembly polls.

CPI Secretary D Raja, after hour-long talks with Paswan, said there was 'complete agreement' between the two parties as also Republican Socialist Party (RSP) and Forward Bloc on contesting the elections together and talks are on with CPI (ML).