CPI-ML not to support RJD, BJP in Bihar

March 04, 2005

The CPI-ML (Liberation), with seven MLAs in the Bihar Assembly, on Thursday said it would not support RJD or BJP to form a Government and also ruled out the possibility of it abstaining from voting.

"LJP President Ram Vilas Paswan had a talk with me this morning and I told him about the CPI-ML stand of keeping equi-distance from RJD and BJP," party General Secretary Deepankar Bhattacharya told reporters in Patna.

"CPI-ML will oppose any Government formed with direct or indirect support of RJD or BJP and in no case, our MLAs will abstain during confidence vote. We have made this clear to Governor Buta Singh," he said.

A four-member CPI-ML team met the Governor during the day and apprised him about the party's stand.

Asked if he was for President's Rule in view of the fractured verdict, Bhattacharya said though he did not favour Central rule, there was no other option if no party or alliance was able to form the Government.

"President's Rule for six months in this condition would not be a bad option," he added.

Alleging that his two MLAs -- Amarnath Yadav and Satyadeoram -- currently in Gopalganj jail, were not safe, he said, "We requested the Governor to shift them to Beur jail."

Referring to controversial RJD MP Mohammad Shahabuddin's assertion that he would go to any extreme in formation of a RJD government and his visit to Buxar jail as part of this mission, Bhattacharya said his party would soon approach the Supreme Court for cancellation of his bail and his externment from Bihar.