Wednesday, November 2 2005 18:54 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: In sharp contrast to the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) led front which has attacked the Election Commission, Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) chief Ram Vilas Paswan today (Nov 2, 2005) showered praise on the EC saying that for the first time in the history of Bihar the poor and downtrodden had been able to cast votes without any fear.

Union Minister Jaiprakash Narain Yadav was also snubbed by him when he said, "I would resign if faced with a similar situation."

"I will not say anything that is the prerogative of the Prime Minister," he told reporters here, parrying questions whether Yadav should be sacked.

However, when reporters persisted asking whether the situation in which Yadav, served with a non-bailable warrant for allegedly misusing his power to get his brother and RJD candidate from Jamui, 'illegally' released, was affecting the image of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Government, he evaded a direct reply saying "I am in the Government. I will not make a comment."

On the RJD-Congress demand for removal for EC pointsman for Bihar K J Rao, Paswan said his handling of the Bihar polls could not be questioned.

The EC has taken action against almost all parties. The charges that the Commission is biased are untrue.

"It has only acted against people like Surendra Yadav and Minister's brother who was caught indulging in booth capturing," he said in an obvious reference to Jaiprakash.

"Those with money power and muscle power have been irrelevant. The way paramilitary forces have been used, it has raised the confidence of the poor people and weaker sections. They are coming out in strength for polling and the EC should be congratulated for it," he noted.