NDA seeks early Bihar polls

Leaders from the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) on Wednesday met and told the Election Commission that constitutional and legal logic suggested an early rather than a late Assembly election in Bihar.

Refuting the assertion of Law Minister HR Bhardwaj that the elections could be held only in September or October, the NDA team said the commission should not make any decisions on the assumption that extension of President's Rule by Parliament would be automatic.

"President's rule in Bihar will end on September 6. There is no guarantee that Parliament will endorse that central rule be extended for a second term. If this happens we will have a constitutional crisis, as the life of the present Assembly (which is in suspended animation) will end on September 6," BJP General Secretary Arun Jaitley said.

The team explained to EC that Bihar's problem was not monsoon but post-monsoon flooding which made travel difficult. A June or early July election will obviate that problem.

Unlike the last time, Bihar was going to be a stand-alone election so the availability of security forces would not a problem, Jaitley said.

He warned that if the election is not notified in two weeks and a new assembly not constituted by September 6, the state may see an extension of President's rule because of a lapse of the commission.

Politically, it suits the ruling UPA to hold late elections, while the NDA is keen to voice its demand for an early election to show up the UPA's wavering confidence. Jaitley claimed that the commission said that these problems "have also crossed our mind".