PATNA, June 22: In a significant development, Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Joint Director (East) U N Biswas today called on Bihar Governor A R Kidwai in connection with the Rs 950-crore fodder scam.

The meeting lasted for half-an-hour, Raj Bhavan sources said.

This is Biswas' first visit to the Raj Bhavan following Kidwai's nod for prosecution of Chief Minister Laloo Prasad Yadav, two of his Cabinet colleagues -- Bholaram Toofani, Vidyasagar Nishad -- former Union Minister Chandradeo Prasad Verma and former Chief Minister Jagannath Mishra.

Though what transpired during the meeting is not yet know, it is believed that Biswas made certain clarifications on the objections raised by a group of Congressmen regarding the sanction for the prosecution of Mishra in the scam.

According to highly-placed CBI sources, the agency is likely to file charge-sheets against Laloo and 55 others tomorrow in the special designated court here.

According to them, the draft charge-sheet is ready and if everything goes according to plan, there would be no further delay. The CBI would stand to risk the Supreme Court's wrath otherwise. The Apex Court has asked the investigative agency to file its progress report in the case on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the designated court is scheduled to take up for hearing the anticipatory bail applications of Laloo, Verma and Toofani tomorrow.

In a related development, Jaipal Reddy, one of the two senior Janata Dal (JD) leaders appointed by the Supreme Court to conduct the poll before July 3, is reportedly ``disinclined'' to undertake the responsibility.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.