Thursday, January 26 2006 19:42 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Patna: Refusing to comment on the resignation of Governor Buta Singh, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today (Jan 26,2006) said Congress and its allies had a role to play in the dissolution of the state assembly which was held as 'unconstitutional' by the Supreme Court.

''Why only the Congress ? Its allies too were responsible for the dissolution by creating pressure (on the Union Government). No particular party can be held responsible for the dissolution and we had said it before the Bihar assembly polls,'' he told reporters when asked to comment on the role of the Congress in the dissolution of the 13th Vidhan Sabha.

''First the people of the state vindicated our stand (that the dissolution was malafide) and then the Supreme Court.While occupying a constitutional post, it is not proper for me to comment on the resignation of Buta Singh,'' he said.

When pointed out by reporters that the governor had claimed he had sufficient proof of horse trading of MLAs before recommending the dissolution, Kumar said, ''The matter has already been debated in the apex court. The court has dealt with the matter and its ruling is self-explanatory. What it has said is the law of the land . There is nothing more to say.''

He said, ''It should be guaranteed that such developments (the dissolution) are not repeated,'' he said adding ''I have nothing to say,'' to questions whether Buta Singh has been made the scape goat.

The people of Bihar had given him the mandate to work for the welfare of the state. ''I will take everybody along in my efforts for the development of Bihar and will solicit the cooperation of the Centre for it,'' Kumar said.