Bihar can have govt in 3 months: Paswan

Sticking to his demand for a Muslim chief minister for Bihar and keeping the BJP and RJD out of state politics, LJP leader Ram Vilas Paswan ...

Sticking to his demand for a Muslim chief minister for Bihar and keeping the BJP and RJD out of state politics, LJP leader Ram Vilas Paswan today said that Bihar would have a government in place within the next three months. He, however, chose to evade the question ‘‘how?’’.

‘‘It is a matter of issues and not time. If the conditions laid down by us are met, Bihar can have a government tomorrow,’’ he said. ‘‘The formula is simple. We want a Muslim chief minister but will not allow a BJP or an RJD candidate to become one. The CM need not be from LJP either,’’ Paswan told mediapersons at a conference organised by the Haryana Journalists Association.

When asked about a tie-up with the Janata Dal (U), Paswan made it clear that it wasn’t possible till the JD (U) severed ties with the BJP.

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Admitting that his party could face a backlash from voters if there was a further delay in government-formation, Paswan said they were firm ‘‘and will not compromise on our Muslim CM demand’’. ‘‘We realise our role in affecting a government-formation and want to make sure that a good government based on principles is sworn in so that we are not blamed later,’’ said the leader.

Commenting on President’s Rule in Bihar, Paswan said that it had done a lot of good to the state. ‘‘The official machinery is the same. Only, they have more freedom to act,’’ he said, referring to the Shahabuddin episode. ‘‘A lot of cleansing is taking place in Bihar as a result of President’s Rule. Many miscreants are either being arrested or forced out of the state,’’ he added.

Asked whether he was waiting for the cleansing to be over to make an attempt at forming the government, Paswan replied in the affirmative: ‘‘That could be one of the reasons. However, we believe President’s Rule should not continue indefinitely.’’

Delegation meets PM

NEW DELHI: Union Minister Ramvilas Paswan met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Tuesday and demanded that Dalit Muslims and Christians be given all facilities being provided to Dalit Hindus.

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‘‘When all religious communities are availing the facilities of reservation in OBC and ST categories, there is no reason why Dalit Muslims and Christians be denied facilities given to Scheduled Caste,’’ said the LJP leader, who led an 11-member delegation of the All India United Muslim Morcha. The delegation also handed over a memorandum to the PM. — PTI

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