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Talk Between Congress and Paswan Failed
News Updated On: 27-08-05
New Delhi: Congress continued its efforts to rope in LJP Chief Ram Vilas Paswan in a RJD-led alliance of UPA partners for the Bihar Assembly elections, but appeared to have failed to make any headway. AICC General Secretary Digvijay Singh had a 90-minute talk with the Union Minister amid reports of Paswan insisting that his party would be part of a third front in Bihar comprising parties opposed to RJD supremo Lalu Prasad.
Singh told reporters he impressed upon Paswan the need for unity among UPA partners to defeat NDA and then the issue of Chief Minister could be taken up. Paswan, however, stuck to his stand the post should go to a Muslim and said there was no change in that, virtually queering the pitch for a smooth seat sharing among UPA partners as chances of Lalu Prasad agreeing to his suggestion was very remote.
Singh, who is incharge of Bihar, said talks were "progressing" and Paswan also realised the importance of unity among secular parties to defeat communal forces. The Congress leader said there was no deadlock and more talks would be held among the UPA partners. On Paswan's insistence for a Muslim Chief Minister, he said "it is hypothetical. First we (UPA partners) have to win and then only the question will come." Singh has been holding talks with leaders of various UPA allies, including Lalu Prasad, a known detractor of Paswan, and has been consistently of the view that since elections are fought on ideological grounds rather than personalities, all UPA partners should fight as one in Bihar.
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