LJP sits on Bihar govt formula once more

The LJP today set in motion an exercise to install a non-RJD and non-BJP government in Bihar. A seven-member panel was formed to work out a ...

The LJP today set in motion an exercise to install a non-RJD and non-BJP government in Bihar. A seven-member panel was formed to work out a formula within a week in consultation with like-minded parties to cobble together a majority in the 243-member Assembly.

Many of the party’s 29 MLAs met today at the residence of its Lok Sabha member and national general secretary Surajbhan Singh and set up the panel headed by its member and former RS member Ranjan Prasad Yadav.

LJP president Ram Vilas Paswan also attended the meeting. Paswan said the committee would discuss with like-minded parties, including Congress, CPI, CPI(M), Samajwadi Party and others to form a popular government to bring curtains on President’s Rule.

Story continues below this ad

Reiterating that it would be ‘‘a minus RJD and minus BJP government’’, the LJP leader said the MLAs decided not to make any compromise.

On whether his party would approach JD(U), which had abruptly abandoned the exercise for government formation charging him (Paswan) with betraying its leader Nitish Kumar, he said: “We are sticking to our earlier stand. We want JD(U) to part company with BJP and then only, the party will be roped in the exercise.’’

The LJP chief also demanded a CBI probe into the flood-relief scam.