Date:29/12/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/12/29/stories/2005122906801200.htm

National

Bihar likely to hold panchayat polls on party lines

K. Balchand

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar tells an all-party meeting

PATNA: The panchayat elections in Bihar, due in March-April, are likely to be held on party lines.

At an all-party meeting on Wednesday, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said the legal aspects would be taken into consideration before arriving at any decision on the issue as well as on providing reservation to the extremely backward castes.

Mr. Kumar said there was near consensus for holding the elections on party lines.

Only the Rashtriya Janata Dal expressed fears that it might trigger tensions at the village level.

The elections would be held on time. The State Election Commission had been requested to make preparations.