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Rediff.com  » News » BJP all but backs Nitish's initiative

BJP all but backs Nitish's initiative

By Onkar Singh in New Delhi
April 03, 2005 15:57 IST
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Though leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party did not admit that they agreed to give outside support a non-BJP and non-Rashtriya Janata Dal government in Bihar, they admitted in private that the initiative taken by former railway minister Nitish Kumar has the approval of the party brass.

Addressing a press conference in New Delhi on Sunday, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi refused to spell out the party strategy on the new initiative.

Paswan's wet blanket on Nitish's efforts

"Please wait and watch what happens," he said when asked if the party was willing to support the government if Nitish Kumar succeeds to rope in Ram Vilas Paswan of the Lok Janshakti Party.

He admitted that Nitish Kumar had called on BJP president L K Advani to discuss government formation in Bihar.

LJP not averse to BJP's support

"Our position is very clear that the mandate given by the people of Bihar was against the ruling Rashtriya Janata Dal alliance headed by Lalu Prasad Yadav. We feel that there should be an elected government in Bihar and all the efforts that are going on are being directed in this effort. We are not for the imposition of the President's rule," he said.

He was asked whether the party was trying to expose Ram Vilas Paswan's blackmail tactics.

Bihar plans law on the lines of MCOCA

"I am not saying anything. You wait and see how the developments unfold," he said.

He did not agree with the suggestion that Janata Dal (United) headed by George Fernandes might desert the BJP in the formation of Bihar government.

 

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Onkar Singh in New Delhi