No rift in party, claims Samata

But at the same time, Singh admitted that party supporters expected more MPs to be made ministers.

8220;In a coalition government, every party wants maximum representation,8221; he said.

According to him, even before the Government was formed, the Samata Party parliamentary party had authorised George Fernandes to take decisions on behalf of the party. 8220;The position remains the same now,8221; he asserted,8221; adding that 8220;it is the Prime Minister8217;s prerogative to appoint his ministers.8221;

He blamed the RJD for the publication ofthese reports. 8220;Ever since the result of the election to the Patna Lok Sabha seat was declared, former chief minister Laloo Yadav has become wary of his party8217;s future,8221; Singh alleged, adding, 8220;The RJD today is a badly divided party, and many of its MLAs are in touch either with us or with our alliance partner, the BJP.8221;Singh said he favoured the imposition of Article 356 in Bihar, even though there was a broad consensus among the constituents of the BJP-led Government that the Article should not be invoked. 8220;The manner in which the Constitution has been subverted by the ruling party in the state makes Bihar a fit case for the imposition of President8217;s rule,8221; he said.

The Samata Party spokesman claimed that his party would launch a movement to make the people aware of the sorry state of affairs in Bihar.

8220;We8217;ll raise the pitch to such an extent that the Rabri Devi Government is forced to go,8221; Singh said.