RJD front to see BJP8217;s back

NEW DELHI, May 25: Rashtriya Janata Dal supremo and former chief minister Laloo Prasad Yadav today said his party was planning to forge a ne...

NEW DELHI, May 25: Rashtriya Janata Dal supremo and former chief minister Laloo Prasad Yadav today said his party was planning to forge a new political front to pull down the BJP-led coalition government at the Centre if it did not give up its 8220;jingoistic8221; stand on the nuclear tests.

Laloo Yadav, who along with senior Congress leader Sharad Pawar, CPM leader Somnath Chatterjee and Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav met the Prime Minister today, also urged him to make an official statement on the Pokharan nuclear tests on the opening day of the Parliament8217;s budget session on May 27.

Congratulating the nuclear scientists and defence experts for enabling the country to conduct the nuclear tests, Laloo said the ruling BJP-led coalition government at the Centre was trying to capitalise on the issue for political mileage.

8220;The RJD and other Opposition parties will raise the Pokharan nuclear tests issue in the Parliament8217;s budget session and force the Prime Minister to make an official statement onthe floor of the House,8221; he added.

Meanwhile, in a statement, RJD spokesman Suman Sahai, while expressing concern over the BJP8217;s 8220;reckless actions and utterances8221;, said the RJD would make a bid to oust the BJP-led coalition at the Centre if it did not stop damaging the nation8217;s image and future interests.

8220;India is passing through a very difficult period. We have yet to tackle poverty, illiteracy and unemployment. If it has been necessary to develop a nuclear capacity for the country8217;s security, this development must be dealt with great caution8221;, she said, reminding the Centre that it should display extraordinary restraint and responsibility both inside and outside the country.

The RJD leader criticised the plans for holding a 8220;gaurav yatra8221; with the Pokharan sand and construction of a 8220;shakti mandir8221; at the blast site.8220;The Government8217;s jingoistic stand is damaging the country8217;s image and the BJP has no business to put the country8217;s reputation at stake for political gains,8221; she added.