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NDA calls for Bihar bandh tomorrow

Last updated on: May 23, 2005 12:19 IST

Terming the Union Cabinet's recommendation to dissolve the Bihar assembly as unconstitutional, the National Democratic Alliance has called for a state-wide bandh on Tuesday to demand the immediate recall of Governor Buta Singh and to protest against the dissolution of the House.

"It is highly unconstitutional- the decision of Singh and the Union home ministry on the dissolution of Bihar assembly- thrusting yet another election on the state," Bharatiya Janata Party vice-president Sushil Kumar Modi said.

As per plans, Kumar was to stake claim to form the government on Monday afternoon and show support of 127 MLAs.

Rubbishing the charge of 'horse-trading' of LJP MLAs, Modi claimed that the MLAs had revolted against Lok Janshakti Party chief Ramvilas Paswan's intransigence on the issue of government formation and had united to form a non-RJD government in the state.

"The charge of buying MLAs to cobble together majority is baseless and unfounded," he said.

BJP's Venkaiah Naidu, meanwhile, described the Cabinet's decision a "shameless murder of democracy".

"People have rejected the Lalu-Rabri rule. But now, it will not be Rashtrapati rule, but 'Rabri-pati' (Lalu) rule again. This is shameless murder of democracy," Naidu said.

The NDA also charged Governor Buta Singh with acting at the behest of the Central government, particularly Lalu and Paswan.

The meeting was earlier scheduled to give final touches to the list of failures of the United Progressive Alliance government.

WITH PTI INPUTS

Anand Mohan Sahay in Patna