Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav on Wednesday said that even though the Lok Janshakti Party had "eaten into the UPA's votes" in the Bihar assembly polls, he was not making efforts for Lok Janshakti Party chief and Union Steel Minister Ramvilas Paswan's ouster from the Union cabinet.

"The removal of Mr Paswan from the Union ministry is not my mission at all," Lalu said.

LJP candidates had split the United Progressive Alliance votes but Paswan's party had also lost out in the process, he said.

"The LJP-led alliance's tally of seats had also reduced to 12 from the 29 it held after the February 2005 elections." Lalu maintained that the vote base of the RJD-led combine had not dwindled "despite all odds and efforts" by the opposition.

Bihar Elections 2005