JD(U)-BJP Bihar win signals end of UPA: Mahajan

Senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader Pramod Mahajan on Tuesday said that the Janata Dal (United)-BJP combine winning an absolute majority in Bihar assembly polls would lead to "the beginning of the end of United Progressive Alliance."

"There would be internal tensions within the UPA following today's results," Mahajan told reporters in Mumbai.

Mahajan said BJP would, "...like to get the post of deputy chief minister in Bihar." "This time, we will not have to depend on unwanted elements," he said.

The 15-year reign of Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad Yadav ended because "…people realised that the cards of social justice and emotional appeal don't work," Mahajan said.

"We expected a simple majority in Bihar, but such a big win was unexpected," he said.

On Maharashtra Congress leader and Revenue Minister Narayan Rane winning the Malwan assembly bypoll on Tuesday, Mahajan said, "There will now be an alternative centre of power in front of Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh."

The Shiv Sena's loss in Malwan and in Mumbai North-West would not have any impact on the Sena-BJP alliance, Mahajan added.

Bihar Elections 2005: Complete Coverage