Laloo supports Gandhi's decision

Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Laloo Prasad Yadav gave a letter of support on behalf of his party expressing full backing to a Congress-led government to Sonia Gandhi when she met him in Delhi on Wednesday.

Gandhi drove to the residence of Yadav after her parleys with CPI-M general secretary Harkishen Singh Surjeet.

Yadav described Gandhi's decision not to accept the prime minster's post as 'magnanimous'.

Also Read Name of PM candidate by evening DMK will join Congress-led govt

With Gandhi standing by his side, Yadav made it clear that the RJD's support was for any leader nominated by the Congress for the post of prime minister.

Gandhi did not respond to queries from reporters.

Attacking outgoing Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Yadav said after Gandhi's refusal to become the prime minister 'all the games of Vajpayee and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh have been defeated. We have defeated the fascist forces'.

"Ab Vajpayee kahin muh dikhane ke layak nahi raha (Vajpayee will not be able to face the public now)," he said.

Asked specifically whether the RJD would support Manmohan Singh as a prime minister, he said, "The question is not of any individual but of the nation. We are committed to Sonia Gandhi and have done our duty (by giving the letter of support)."

The RJD would decide later whether it would be a part of the government or extend support to it from outside.