Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad Yadav on Monday said the developments in Bihar would not affect the ruling United Progressive Alliance at the Centre.

The UPA will remain 'strong and intact', he said.

Lalu accused Lok Janshakti Party chief Ramvilas Paswan of having played into the hands of 'communal forces'.

He held Paswan responsible for pushing the state towards President's rule. "He is oscillating like a pendulum and his stand is not clear. He has a tacit understanding with the NDA leaders who also wanted President's rule in the state to throw out the RJD," he said.

"For the first time in history, instead of staking claim, a political party has gone to the governor to stop the single largest party from being invited to form a government," he said. 

Paswan is weakening the UPA, the RJD chief alleged.

Lalu is in Delhi for a cabinet meeting that will discuss Bihar Governor Buta Singh's recommendation for President's rule in the state. He met Home Minister Shivraj Patil earlier in the day.

Bihar Governor Buta Singh had on Sunday recommended the imposition of President's rule in the state, as no party or alliance could muster the support of 122 members of Legislative Assembly for a simple majority in the 243-member House.

The RJD has 74 MLAs, Congress 10, the National Democratic Alliance, comprising the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Janata Dal-United, 92, and Paswan's LJP 29.

On whether he would press for the removal of Paswan from the UPA, Lalu said, "I am not a narrow-minded politician. I will not put forward any such proposal."

He said UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the Left parties had watched the 'drama' enacted by Paswan to pre-empt RJD's bid for a secular government.

He also said he did not favour the holding of fresh elections in Bihar as it would require lot of money and energy.

Asked if he would request UPA leaders to persuade Paswan to extend support to the RJD to form a government in Bihar, Lalu said, "I will personally not make any request for this.

"I hope secular-minded legislators will join our efforts to form a government soon," he said.

Earlier Reports:

Bihar: Guv recommends Prez rule

Bihar has been under President's rule 7 times