The Hindu : National : Paswan rules out alliance with JD(U)

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Saturday, Nov 20, 2004

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National

Paswan rules out alliance with JD(U)

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, NOV. 19. The Lok Janshakti Party chief, Ramvilas Paswan, today ruled out any tie-up with the Janata Dal (United) for the Bihar and Jharkhand Assembly elections.

"There is no question of a tie-up. My party will contest the Bihar and Jharkhand Assembly elections on its own steam," Mr. Paswan said.

There was also no question of an alliance or seat adjustment with the National Democratic Alliance. "I want to make it clear that the LJP will have no alliance or seat adjustment, at any cost, with the NDA or the RJD," he said. The LJP would contest all the 243 seats in Bihar and 81 seats in Jharkhand, he said.

However, he left the doors open to leaders of some parties in the NDA to join him in the battle against the RJD. "If they leave their parties and join me, they are most welcome."

Mr. Paswan rejected the suggestion that his refusal to have any truck with the JD(U) would result in a division of the anti-RJD votes.

"The whole polity is polarised between the RJD and my party, so there is no question of a division of votes."

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