The Hindu : Other States / Bihar News : I take the blame, says Paswan

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Monday, Mar 07, 2005

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Other States - Bihar

I take the blame, says Paswan

By K. Balchand

The LJP chief, Ram Vilas Paswan, coming out of the Raj Bhavan after meeting the Governor, Buta Singh, in Patna on Sunday. — Photo: Ranjeet Kumar

PATNA, MARCH 6. The Lok Janshakti Party chief and Union Steel Minister, Ram Vilas Paswan, today took responsibility for the recommendation of President's Rule in the State by the Governor, Buta Singh. He said: "I take the blame." "What is wrong with it?"

When asked about the accusations being levelled against him by both Rashtriya Janata Dal and the National Democratic Alliance leaders, he said "this is nothing new." "Who are these people? One who had lost power (RJD) and the other (NDA) who was craving to grab it,'' Mr. Paswan said, charging that his stand had caused anxiety to both the camps.

Mr. Paswan hit back at the Janata Dal (United) leader, Nitish Kumar, charging that he had remained silent for all seven days. "Was it not his responsibility to take the initiative? Had he done so the Congress might not have extended its letter of support to the RJD. It might have taken another line," he claimed. He accused him of running away from the battlefield by not staking claim to form the government and trying to prove his majority on the floor of the House. He ridiculed the BJP and the JD (U) for not even electing their legislature party leaders.

The LJP chief was confident that he would be able to form a government excluding both the RJD and the BJP. In his calculation, all others, including the JD (U), the Left parties, the Congress, the Bahujan Samaj Party, the Samajwadi Party and independents would join hands with him in the near future. He said he had his calculations right and achieved his target one after the other. It was first the NDA at the Centre and then the RJD in Bihar.

Mr. Paswan stressed that mid-way through the elections he had spoken about imposition of President's rule knowing well the ground realities and in the interest of the State.

Welcoming the imposition of President's rule, Mr. Paswan was hopeful that it would help clean the Augean stables.

The State Congress chief, Ram Jatan Sinha, too welcomed the President's rule claiming that it would improve the law and order situation in the State.

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