The Janata Dal (United) on Monday claimed it had the support of 109 members of Legislative Assembly in Bihar and would get the required strength to form a government before President's rule expired in the state after it was imposed in March.

A President's rule is usually for a maximum period of six months. However, it can be extended by a cabinet recommendation.

"We (the National Democratic Alliance) have the support of 109 MLAs and are very close to the figure required for a majority. We are inching towards forming the government in Bihar," senior JD (U) leader Sharad Yadav said.

He, however, refused to divulge details of how the NDA would reach the magic figure of 122.

On Lok Janshakti Party president Ramvilas Paswan's insistence that Bihar should have a Muslim chief minister, Yadav said, "We (NDA) don't bring religion into consideration on such issues. The NDA has projected Nitish Kumar as the chief ministerial candidate."

Also see:

Assembly elections 2005: Complete coverage