Senior Bihar Congress leaders have taken serious exception to Rashtriya Janata Dal supremo Laloo Prasad Yadav's reported statement reminding the Congress of its strength in the Lok Sabha and urged party president Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister-designate Dr Manmohan Singh not to provide him a ministerial berth as he faced serious corruption charges in the fodder scam.

'Laloo has failed to discharge the gatbandhan dharm (duties of allies),' senior party leaders including former state minister Dilkeshar Ram, former MLA Satyadeo Singh and Bihar Pradesh Congress Commitee Secretary Amrendra Singh said in a statement.

'Laloo has insulted Congressmen by making such a deplorable statement,' they said, and urged Sonia Gandhi and Manmohan Singh not not to attach much significance to Laloo's views on government formation. 'Laloo is also involved in cases of the fodder scam and therefore he should not not be given a ministerial berth,' they said.

The Congress enjoyed support of more than 300 MPs. 'It will not not make any difference on the stability and majority of the Union government if Laloo with 21 MPs decides against participating in the government,' the Congressmen said.