All but one of the 17 Independent MLAs in Bihar have declared their support to Janata Dal-United leader Nitish Kumar's efforts to form a government in the state.
 
No party or any coalition of parties secured the required numbers to form a government in Bihar after the February assembly election and President's rule was imposed in the state on March 7.

"We have decided to support Nitish Kumar to form a popular government soon to end President's rule in the state,"  Babu Lal Rai, an Independent MLA told rediff.com.

The decision was taken after a meeting of Independent MLAs on Friday in Patna.

"Ninety-nine per cent Independent MLAs are backing Nitish in his efforts to form government," said Jagdish Sharma, another Independent MLA.

Interestingly, these MLAs have now begun criticising Lok Janshakti Party chief Ramvilas Paswan for stalling every effort to install a popular government in Bihar.

Paswan, who has 29 MLAs in the 243-member House, is unwilling to be part of any combination that either has the Lalu Prasad Yadav-led Rashtriya Janata Dal or the BJP in it.

In reference to Paswan setting up a committee to explore ways of government formation in Bihar, Sharma said it is nothing but an eye wash. "Paswan wants to delay the process of government formation," he said.