Reacting to Sinha's call for reviewing Bihar's financial position, Laloo said the Central ministers should realise that ``Bihar is neither dependent on the Centre, nor is it their chaprasi''.

Accusing the BJP-led coalition government at the Centre of trying to destabilise the RJD Government in the State, he warned that he would not tolerate this kind of politicking. Although Sinha defended himself by stating that ``since I was coming to Bihar for the first time after becoming Finance Minister, I thought it proper to help the State Government'', his observations have raised a storm in the RJD camp.

Party leaders are alleging a deeper motive behind his statements. Laloo accused the BJP Government of assessing the ground situation for nailing the RJD Government. He refuted Sinha's allegations that the StateGovernment had failed to use central assistance of utilise the resources for developmental work.

Defending the State administration, Laloo blamed the present financial condition on the uncertainty created by the Opposition parties in the last two years. The fear psychosis created in the wake of the scams and the CBI investigations have taken away the officers' zeal to put in their best, he alleged.``We are keeping a close watch on the moves of the Union Government.

Initially, the BJP leaders had demanded the imposition of financial emergency in the State. Now, their Finance Minister opts to review the fiscal situation,'' confided a senior RJD leader close to Laloo. According to RJD sources, the State Government was initially reluctant to meet Sinha. However, it later decided to place all the facts before him.