NEW DELHI, July 6: Bihar Chief Minister Laloo Prasad Yadav said tonight that he was not averse to seeking Congress support for the survival of his government in a showdown in the monsoon session of the Assembly, beginning on July 14.

``What is the harm in my seeking support from the Congress when the entire United Front Government hinged on its backing for survival at the Centre,'' said Yadav daring his opponents to parade their MLAs to prove their majority.

He also said his newly formed Rashtriya Janata Dal would remain in the UF, support the Gujral government. He said he would approach the Election Commission for recognition of the RJD. Matters like symbol for the new party were under discussion, he added.

``There is no question of letting me remain or not in the Front. If somebody feels that I am not needed, then I also don't need them. I am in the Front basically for the fight against communalism,'' he said.

Claiming that the entire 166-member Janata Dal Legislature Party in Bihar was with him and there was no need for him to submit a list of supporting MLAs to the governor, he said he would prove his majority when the state Assembly meets from July 14.

He made it clear that his party would support the Gujral government without any condition. ``Irrespective of who is disputing my presence in the Front or not, my decision is to support the Gujral government. No amendment or change under any circumstances,'' he added.

Laloo Prasad said his party would not be confined only to Bihar and the infrastructure of the Janata Dal throughout the country would belong to RJD.Asked about the status of Janata Dal MP from Orissa, Anchal Das, who attended yesterday's conventions but did not sign the letter to Lok Sabha Speaker, Yadav said he would not force anyone to come to his side. He said Das had told him that all MPs from Orissa would take a joint decision.

About support from Karnataka MPs, including two Union Ministers, the RJD chief said S R Bommai and R L Jalappa would be reaching the capital and he would talk to them.

He dismissed as of no significance the presence of Bihar Governor A R Kidwai in the capital saying he had come here to receive some award.

The Bihar Chief Minister also made light of the remarks by newly-elected Dal president Sharad Yadav that dissident Dal MLAs from Bihar were approaching him. ``If it satisfies, let him keep them in his pocket,'' he remarked, and added if there were any dissidents, they would come back to him.

He said if the dissidents had some strength, ``let them parade MLAs''.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.