Sunday, November 6 2005 15:21 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Patna: National Democratic Alliance (NDA) today (Nov 6, 2005) alleged that the resignation of Union Minister Jaiprakash Narain Yadav and arrest of controversial Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) MP Md Shahabuddin were ' United Progressive Alliance (UPA)-orchestrated' moves to save Prime Minister Manmohan Singh from facing an embarrassment during his proposed visit to the state, a charge denied by Congress.

"It was an UPA-orchestrated move to save Singh from facing an embarrassment during his one-day electioneering in the state," NDA Chief Ministerial candidate Nitish Kumar told reporters while reacting to resignation of Yadav and arrest of Shahabuddin.

The Prime Minister is scheduled to arrive here on November eight to address election rallies at Saharsa and Sitamarhi.

Kumar, however, said, "Though Shahabuddin has timed his arrest to influence the elections, the RJD's game plan will not succeed."

"RJD is not (not) going to gain sympathy following Shahabuddin's arrest which was made in connection with several criminal cases in which non-bailable warrants of arrests were pending against him," Kumar remarked.

He said Union minister of state for Water Resource Development Yadav was asked by prime minister to resign from the UPA Government in view of 'serious charges' against him for allegedly causing 'illegal escape' of his brother and RJD candidate for Jamui assembly seat Vijay Prakash.

"Kucch karo to dosi aur kuchch nahin karo to bhi dosi (one is held guilty if he doesn't do some thing or he does something).What type of politics is this," All India Congress Committee (AICC) General Secretary Digvijay Singh said while countering the NDA's charge.