Arjun Munda fighting losing battle: Lalu

New Delhi, Sep 6 (UNI) Asserting that the repercussions of the political crisis in Jharkhand would also be felt in Bihar, RJD chief and Railway Minister Lalu Prasad today said the Arjun Munda-led NDA government in Jharkhand should immediately step down to facilitate the formation of a secular government there.

''Chief Minister Arjun Munda is fighting a losing battle, and he should immediately step down to end the political crisis in the state,'' Mr Prasad told reporters here.

The Rashtriya Janata Dal President, however, asserted that his party was not involved into the political imbroglio in Jharkhand.

''The crisis in the NDA government in the state is of its own making, and the Congress, the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha and the RJD have nothing to do with it,'' he said.

The NDA government was reduced to a minority after four ministers in the Arjun Munda Cabinet -- Madhu Koda, Hari Narain Rai, Kamlesh Singh and Enos Ekka -- tendered their letters of withdrawal of support and resignation from the BJP-led NDA government.

Mr Prasad said the Jharkhand government had disintegrated like ''a pack of cards'' and its survival would be an impossibility.

''The NDA house has been burnt down from its own flame, and no fire tenders can douse the fire,'' he said.

The RJD leader also pointed out that the Jharkhand Governor had asked the government to prove its majority on the floor of the House by Septemebr 14. ''''The death of the NDA government in Jharkhand is a certainty, and it will only be formalised by September 14.'' Asked whether he supported Madhu Koda for the chief ministerial post once a new government was formed there, he said, ''Why should I not support him? Madhu to Madhu hota hai. (Honey is always sweet)." Mr Prasad also used the occasion to take a swipe at the Nitish Kumar government in Bihar, saying most of the time it was trying to slap legal suits on its opponents.

''He has failed to expand his council of ministers. He must find out ministers for himself. We are willing to extend a helping hand,'' he said, lacing his observations with sarcasm.

UNI/SKS VD RN1903