Patna: Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) president Laloo Prasad Yadav, who had rushed to Delhi last evening (May 20, 2004) amid reports of sharp differences with the Congress over seeking the key home portfolio for himself, left for Delhi this morning (May 21, 2004) saying that he will disclose the role of his party in Government formation.

Before boarding the flight he said at the airport that an emergent meeting of the RJD legislature party chaired by Chief Minister Rabri Devi was held late last night which authorised him to take a final decision on whether to join the Manmohan Singh-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) ministry or to support it from outside.

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The RJD strongman denied reports that he had left Delhi in huff angry over Congress rejecting his demand for Home portfolio.

"Some mischievous elements in the media have spread the canard that I had sought Home Ministry or Deputy Prime Ministership. Neither did the Congress seek any proposal from us nor did we submit any proposal (on ministries) to them. Laloo Yadav is not a beggar," he said.

He, however, stuck to his demand for a special financial package and special status for Bihar saying no purpose will be served by joining the ministry if Bihar continues to remain poor.

"Lal batti wali gaadi mein ghoomne se kya hoga?" he asked.

Asserting that he was not hankering for power, Yadav said that he was more concerned about changing the face of Bihar. "After all, I am not demanding anything new. The Atal Behari Vajpayee Government had promised a special package for Bihar to cope with the loss of resource-rich Jharkhand. Even Rajiv Gandhi had promised a special economic package for Bihar."

He charged the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) Government with having pursued policies, which promoted regional imbalances with Bihar being one of the worst victims.

"They did not spend on roads and other infrastructure and did not care to set up air cargo facility as a result of which our farmers are unable to get proper returns for their produce. I am more interested in getting a fair deal for the youth, the farmers and the poor of Bihar than wangling a choice ministerial berth for myself and some of my MPs," he said.