RJD, LJP may go for alternative alliance

With Congress sticking to its "go solo" mantra in Bihar, its former allies RJD and LJP may opt for an alternative secular alliance with Left support in the state.

With Congress sticking to its "go solo" mantra in Bihar, its former allies RJD and LJP may opt for an alternative secular alliance with Left support in the state.

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An indication to this effect was given by LJP chief Ram Vilas Paswan, who won Rajya Sabha elections from Bihar with support of RJD and CPI two days back. The Congress did not vote for him.

"RJD-LJP alliance has been further strengthened after Rajya Sabha elections. CPI supported my candidature though it was against the RJD chief. We would like CPI to support our alliance for the Assembly elections in the state. If Congress, too wants to come, it is welcome. If it does not come, it is also okay," Paswan told reporters here.

He was responding to questions on whether he still wants an alliance with Congress for the upcoming assembly polls in Bihar, where the NDA is in power.

"In Bihar there is no third force. It is a straight battle between communal forces led by Nitish Kumar and secular forces led by us there... LJP-RJD combine in itself is competent enough to bring political change in Bihar," Paswan said ruling out the possibility of Lalu Prasad's RJD having a tie up with Congress without LJP.

He also made it clear that he would sit with the Opposition in Rajya Sabha. "I am in Opposition. Do you think I am with the treasury. I will sit in opposition but may support the government on issues that are in consonance with our party's policies," he said.

On whether he regrets joining a Congress-led government in the past, Paswan replied in the negative, saying, "I have no regrets. There were circumstances... to keep communal forces away."