On Day 2, Buta signals shake-up for police, officials

‘‘An administrative shake-up is on the cards,’’ Singh said in reply to a query.

Law and order and development, besides measures to check terrorism on the Bihar-Nepal border, would be accorded top priority. Health, education, protection of human rights and welfare programmes for women, children and youth would be other thrust areas for all-round development of the state, the Governor added.

Singh’s statement on steps to check terrorism followed reports of Maoist rebels from Nepal sneaking into Bihar through the porous border for shelter.

Talking about the circumstances leading to the imposition of Central rule in Bihar, Singh said he had made frantic efforts for installation of ‘‘a popular government, but in vain’’.

‘‘I had invited leaders of various political parties, groups, organisations and Independents to ascertain whether they could together cobble up a simple majority with the support of 122 MLAs in the 243-member Assembly.’’

‘‘I was left with no option other than recommending imposition of President’s Rule as none of them were able to convince me about the support of the MLAs required for a simple majority’’, Singh said.

Asked about the appointment of his advisors, he said: ‘‘I will let you know as soon as their appointments are made.’’

Meanwhile, Lok Janashakti Party president Ram Vilas Paswan has requested Congress chief Sonia Gandhi to ensure that there is a marked improvement in the law and order situation in Bihar. Sources disclosed that Paswan, while thanking Sonia for the imposition of President’s Rule, has told her that it should be followed up with a firm action to check crime. The change of regime would be evident from the crime graph, he added.

Paswan has also requested Sonia to use her good offices to pump resources into the state which had been neglected for 20 years. Having already apprised the PM of his concerns over the appointment of advisors to the Governor, he has not taken up the issue with Sonia, the sources added.