Indian union railways minister Laloo Prasad Yadav has called the 1 February royal takeover a selfless act by the king for the nation and the people. Yadav also made it clear that the Indian government had joined hands with the royal regime. The chairman of the Rastriya Janata Dal made the remarks while addressing an election meeting in Saharasa district of Bihar state on 5 November. He said that he had always supported constitutional monarchy and multiparty democracy and stressed that law and order should be the first priority en route to real and sustainable democracy. Yadav revealed that the Indian government had allocated more than Rs 500 million for the preparation of a blueprint of the Kosi High Dam. "Once the high dam is built, people of Nepal and India will no more suffer from flooding and farmers from both countries will be able to draw the required quantity of water," he told the mass meeting. Yadav also said the Indian government planned to install a transmission line near Kosi barrage, an investment of Rs 6.2 billion. He said that terrorist activities had hampered development works in both countries. "If the Maoists are really struggling for the cause of the people, they should give up violence and take part in elections," added Yadav. The Indian minister urged Nepal's agitating political parties to hold talks with the king.