Thursday, October 6 2005 17:54 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Expressing concern over the attack on party leader Ravishankar Prasad, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Chief L K Advani today (Oct 6, 2005) said there was a 'complete breakdown' of law and order in Bihar and urged the Election Commission to take steps for peaceful conduct of assembly elections in the state.

"The attack on Prasad has shown there is a complete breakdown of law and order in Bihar and the Election Commission should take steps for proper conduct of polls in the state," he said.

The incident highlights that the situation is a matter of concern for all those who would like to have free and fair elections in Bihar, Advani said.

Prasad, a former Union Minister, was shot at by an assailant in the naxal-infested Nokha near Sasaram, where he was addressing an election rally.

In the wake of the attack on Prasad, BJP Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu in Raipur said the Election Commission should intervene to ensure safety of all candidates in Bihar.

"This is a serious matter and the EC should intervene to see that political parties, their candidates and workers are protected well," he said.

Naidu said Prasad was out of danger.