The opposition is up in arms over Bihar

The alliance was furious the federal government dissolved the state assembly on Monday as it said it was close to forming a majority government.

The assembly has not functioned since February polls brought a hung result, with Delhi taking direct control.

Faced with polls it did not want, the opposition says the elections must at least be held as soon as possible.

It is up to the country's Election Commission to decide when the polls are held.

On Tuesday, nearly 1,000 people were arrested in Bihar after clashes between opposition supporters and the police following the dissolution.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh defended the dissolution, saying "horse-trading of the worst type" had been going on and there had been no other option.

Lawless state

Senior politicians of the NDA, Nitish Kumar, Arun Jaitley and Muktar Abbas Naqvi, are due to meet the election commissioners on Wednesday, the Press Trust of India reported.

They say they elections must be held as soon as possible so that "Bihar can have a popular government".

They have also asked for the dismissal of state Governor Buta Singh.

Bihar is one of India's poorest and most lawless states.

In February's election, no political alliance was able to win the 122 seats required to secure a majority in the legislature.

The regional RJD, which had ruled the state without a break for 15 years won only 75 of the 215 seats it contested.