Himalayan News Service

Patna, March 5:

Lalu insists RJD will prove its majority in the House.

Indian Railway Minister Lalu Prasad today accompanied his wife and caretaker chief minister Rabri Devi as she staked claim to power in Bihar, insisting that his Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) would prove its majority in the floor of the house. Apparently still far short of the magic 122-mark in the 243-member state assembly, the RJD became the first to make a formal bid even as the political deadlock over government formation has made federal rule a distinct possibility in the state. Lalu Prasad and Rabri Devi went in procession with all the newly elected RJD legislators — 75 in all — to Governor Buta Singh’s residence.

“The RJD is against president’s rule,” Lalu Prasad said. “We are the single largest party and the first to stake a claim to power.” He said the people of Bihar were against federal rule and wanted a government as soon as possible. Asked whether the party had the requisite majority, Lalu Prasad said: “We are the single largest party, and we will prove our majority on the floor of the house.” He said it was not unusual for the largest party to be invited even if it could prove its majority only later. Though there had been no formal claim to power so far, the governor has received at least three petitions — including from the rival National Democratic Alliance (NDA) — asking him not to invite the RJD.

The RJD needs major help to touch the majority mark, but Steel Minister Ram Vilas Paswan’s Lok Janshakti Party (LJP), which won 29 seats, has refused to back RJD party at any cost. Paswan’s refusal to support even the NDA due to the presence of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has deepened the deadlock. With no party close to a majority in the assembly, president’s rule looms large over Bihar. Till last night it was speculated that Paswan might join hands with the Janata Dal-United (JD-U) to form a government, with BJP supporting from outside. But Paswan was adamant about having nothing to do with the BJP. Sources at the official residence of Rabri Devi, said Bihar’s first couple were upbeat and happy after staking claim to power. The RJD has 75 legislators. Along with its allies, the party has the support of 92. But NDA said it had an edge with 93 seats. “The RJD has no right to stake a claim as it has only 92 and JD-U-BJP has 93,” said BJP leader Sushil Modi. All eyes are on the governor who has to play a decisive role. The term of the 12th Bihar assembly comes to an end tomorrow.