Samata Party will not split, says Nitish

Samata Party national president George Fernandes had in a letter to President K R Narayanan yesterday pledged quot;full supportquot; of the party8217;s 13-MPs to the BJP-led government and there was no question of the members going against it, Kumar added.

On the question of action against party leader Kalpnath Rai who had struck a discordant note prior to the trust vote, by speaking against the Vajpayee government, Kumar saidsince Rai went along with the party during the confidence vote action against him had been dropped. But disciplinary action would be taken if he flouted party decisions in future, he added.

Kumar ridiculed RJD president Laloo Prasad Yadav for his assertion that an alternative government would be in place quot;within five minutes of the fall of Vajpayee government.quot;

quot;More than 72 hours have elapsed, but there is no sign of the alternative ministry,quot; he said.

Kumar asked Narayanan to follow the precedent set by him by seeking written proof of majority support by parties seeking to provide an alternative government.

quot;There should not be two sets of rules for a similar political situation,quot; Kumar added.

The Samata Party leader exuded confidence that the Vajpayee government would soon reassume office following failure of the Opposition parties in forming an alternative government.