Dismiss Rabri Govt, Dal Tells Narayanan

The Janata Dal yesterday inched closer to the BJP-Samata Party alliance in Bihar by demanding the dismissal of the Rabri Devi government for its alleged failure on all fronts. It also sought a judicial probe into the recent police firing on party workers in the state.

A nine-member party delegation led by party president Sharad Yadav met President K R Narayanan and said a sitting judge of high court should inquire into the police firing in which five people including veteran socialist leader Ramcharitra Rai were killed.

Apart from the proximity to the BJP-Samata combine on the issue of the dismissal of the Rabri Devi government, Janata Dal sources admitted that a section of the party was inclined to support the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government in view of the contradictions within the opposition parties.

 

The Janata Dal has maintained a distance from the Rashtriya Loktantrik Morcha of Mulayam Singh Yadav and Laloo Prasad Yadav.

Two party MPs_I K Gujral and Ram Vilas Paswan_had been elected to the Lok Sabha with the support of BJP's allies, Akali Dal and Samata Party respectively. Another party MP, S Jaipal Reddy, was also elected with the support of an ally, the Telugu Desam. However, in the event of a trial of strength, party sources said Reddy cannot be expected to support the BJP-led government, but could be persuaded to abstain.

During the meeting with Narayanan, Paswan said the delegation had demanded a compensation of Rs 5 lakh to the next of kin of the each deceased and Rs 2 lakh to the injured.

They also demanded inquiry into alleged embezzlement of Central funds provided under flood protection projects and other welfare programmes in the state.

"Money is being looted in the jungle raj headed by Rabri Devi," Paswan said and added that the President had assured that he would refer the complaints to the Centre.