No ties with RJD-LJP even after polls: Cong-Oct 19, 2010,

No ties with RJD-LJP even after polls: Cong

Navendu Sharma, TNN, Oct 19, 2010, 04.16am IST


PATNA: The Congress on Monday sought to dispel suggestions that the party could support the RJD-LJP alliance to help it form a government if the state assembly election throws up a hung House.

"The party leadership has made it clear that there is neither any alliance with the RJD-LJP combine nor will there be one after the polls," said state Congress chief spokesman Premchand Mishra. "We will prefer to sit in the opposition if we don't secure a majority on our own rather than support anyone," he said.

Referring to RJD vice-president Raghuvansh Prasad Singh's remark that the RJD would seek Congress support to form a government in Bihar if the RJD-LJP combine falls short of a majority, Mishra termed it a "mischievous attempt" to "confuse" people.

He alleged that the remark was made at the behest of chief minister Nitish Kumar as the "forward castes and minorities" were increasingly rallying round the Congress.

Singh, who is also an MP, earlier in the day told newspersons here that the RJD's decision to snap ties with the Congress was a "blunder". Before leaving for campaigning, he said, "We will see what comes up after the elections. In the event of the RJD-LJP alliance falling short of majority, we will approach the Congress and other secular parties for support."

Singh recalled that it was Nitish who was instrumental in anointing Lalu Prasad as chief minister in 1990 and, therefore, the onus for "jungle raj" was on him too.

Meanwhile, AICC general secretary Rahul Gandhi will visit the state again on October 21 for campaigning. He will address three election meetings -- one each in Belsand assembly segment of Sitamarhi district, in Muzaffarpur and in Kalyanpur assembly segment in Samastipur district. Congress supremo Sonia Gandhi is also likely to visit the state again, Mishra said.

Defending Prime Minister's comment about non-utilization of Central funds by the state government, the party said it was ready for an "open debate" on the issue. Mishra said that the Centre had provided an assistance of Rs 3,800 crore and 1.5 lakh tonnes of foodgrains for Kosi relief. He held the Nitish government responsible for breach in the Kosi embankment in 2008, which took a heavy toll of life and property.


Read more: No ties with RJD-LJP even after polls: Cong - The Times of India