PATNA : Union Steel Minister and Lok Jan Shakti Party chief Ram Vilas Paswan on Thursday predicted that Uttar Pradesh was heading for either President's rule or a fresh round of elections.

He told reporters that the possibility of any party or combination cobbling up the majority to form a government appeared remote. The Assembly was likely to be deadlocked as it was in Bihar after the elections in early 2005.

The LJP chief, however, ruled out a shake-up at the Centre, as the Bahujan Samaj Party and the Samajwadi Party maintained equidistance from the two major parties — the Congress and BJP. He said the UPA Government would complete its full term.

Mr. Paswan demanded a joint session of Parliament on the reservation issue. He supported Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi's view that two or three persons should not decide the future of a 100 crore people.

He said that staying the admissions would have more dangerous ramifications and even snowball into a bloodbath. "What if the seats created are filled by the general quota and then after some time a decision is taken to revoke it? Who will be shown the door? Will it not lead to a bloodbath?"

`Only solution'

Mr. Paswan said that the only solution was to put an end to capitation fee and allow even the poor to enter these educational institutions. He also demanded the creation of an Indian Judicial Services.

He refused to comment on his Cabinet colleague Lalu Prasad's reported comments on the Emergency. "I don't know what he said and whether he said it. So I'd rather avoid the issue."

Mr. Paswan was, however, categorical that the imposition of Emergency would not be justified. "Even Congress leaders have apologised for it. None can favour curbs on the basic rights in any part of the world.''

He recalled his arrest during the Emergency. "No one will even dare to think of such an action, let alone take it," he said.

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