RJD appeals to Nitish, JD(U) MLAs to resign

Patna, Nov 6 (UNI) RJD MPs and MLAs, who have taken a lead in putting down their papers against anti-North Indian violence unleashed by the MNS in Maharashtra, today appealed to Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to resign along with his MLAs for the ''sake of Bihar''.

RJD spokesperson and MLA Shyam Rajak, who had already submitted his resgination to party supremo and Railway Minister Lalu Prasad, told UNI that 14 MPs, including Giridhari Yadav, Premchandre Gupta, Rajniti Prasad, Ram Kripal Yadav and Jayprakash Narayan Yadav had handed over their resignation letters to the party chief. The MPs were from both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.

Besides, 38 MLAs and MLCs, including Leader of Opposition and former chief minister Rabri Devi, Ramai Ram, Krishnanadan Verma, Abdul Bari Siddiqui, Ramchandra Purvey and Jagdannd Singh had submitted their papers to Mr Prasad on the latters call to do so.

Mr Rajak said the party supremo had given a deadline to the MPs, MLAs and MLCs till November 15 for putting down their papers.

He appealed to Mr Kumar to convince his MLAs and MLCs to resign for the sake of Bihar, saying that the safety and dignity of Biharis was of utmost importance.

''All political parties will have to be united on this issue,'' he said.

He further said Mr Prasad would talk to the Chief Minister on the issue.

Mr Rajak alleged that the party, like the BJP, the RSS and the VHP, was all set to divide the country as their indulgence had been exposed in the riots and attacks in both Maharashtra and Gujarat.

Earlier, JD(U) MP and national spokesperson Shivanand Tiwari had announced en masse resignation by party MPs tomorrow on the issue of assult on people from Bihar by the MNS activists in Maharahstra.

UNI RS PL SKB KN1539