ELECTIONS

Buta may do a Jharkhand in Bihar

By Sheela Bhatt in new Delhi
March 02, 2005

The Congress and Rashtriya Janata Dal are trying to "satisfy" Bihar Governor Buta Singh that they are in a position to form a stable government in the state.

They may convince him to extend an invitation to Rabri Devi to form a "secular" government soon.

According to a source close to Lalu Prasad Yadav in Patna, 'the Jharkhand plot can be replayed in Patna very soon.'

The source said that Rabri can be sworn in anytime if the governor is convinced.

Governor Buta Singh is a former Congressman.

Shivand Tiwari, a senior RJD leader, told rediff.com that "we have already announced we will be staking claim to form the government. It is only matter of time now."

Lalu is expected to meet the governor on Wednesday or Thursday (March 2).

Bihar assembly's tenure expires on March 5, before which Lalu would like to see Rabri as chief minister of Bihar.

The RJD combine won 78 seats in Bihar's 243-member assembly in the elections held recently. Its senior United Progressive Alliance partner, Congress, won 11 seats.

The National Democratic Alliance turned out the largest number of legislators in the hung verdict thrown up last Sunday (February 17) with 91 wins.

So-called kingmaker Ramvilas Paswan's Lok Janshakti Party got 28 seats. However, Paswan on Wednesday declined to vote in favour of any combine in the House.

Sheela Bhatt in new Delhi
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