The Hindu : Hegde rules out one-to-one meet with Gowda

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Sep 14, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Karnataka

Hegde rules out one-to-one meet with Gowda

By S. Rajendran

Bangalore Sept. 13. The All-India Progressive Janata Dal (AIPJD) supremo and former Chief Minister, Ramakrishna Hegde, has ruled out a one-to-one merger discussion with the Janata Dal (Secular) President and former Prime Minister, H.D. Deve Gowda, indicating that the unification of both the factions of the Janata Dal is still a distant dream.

In an exclusive interview to The Hindu here today, Mr. Hegde, who is still convalescing from a health setback over a year ago, said he was not against meeting any person, but then no purpose would be served by having a discussion with the former Prime Minister. "Many people have suggested to me to have a one-to-one discussion for ironing out differences and ensuring the unification of the two parties. However, it just cannot happen owing to certain compulsions," he said.

Mr. Hegde said if at all there had to be unification of the two parties then sincere efforts had to be made. "Everybody is speaking on the merger but there is hardly any sincerity in the real sense. Every person involved in the matter has a personal agenda and an ego and the merger discussions so far have revolved around satisfying themselves."

Mr. Hegde obliquely indicated that he was more keen on strengthening the AIPJD rather than on the unification which in his view would not yield any positive result.

"The AIPJD is just gaining roots and has a long way to go. There are many ways of strengthening the party with the support of like-minded parties and people. I am confident that the AIPJD has a bright future," he said. On the unification with the JD(S), he said: "I have my own doubts owing to certain contradictions. There are social, political, and ideological differences. Apart from all this, there is also a personal factor. I don't think it is possible. People who speak of socialism today are not really socialists and people who speak of secularism are not really secularists."

Referring to the proposal to constitute a Third Front, the former Chief Minister said he was also keen on that provided it could be under the leadership of an experienced politician like the former Prime Minister, Chandra Shekhar, who earlier headed the Janata Party.

The proposal could take a concrete shape provided those who had mooted the idea were serious and the matter was handled by senior and serious politicians.

"We have to work out an alternative to the two major national parties — the Congress and the BJP. Unfortunately, the Third Front leaders have been drifting apart from one another."

Mr. Hegde said he was not perturbed by the threats held out by some of the party legislators that they would quit the party and join the Janata Dal (S) if the party leadership did not focus on the merger.

"They have been threatening for quite some time and yet have remained in the AIPJD. If they are keen to go, let them do so. There are many committed people here to build the party. The AIPJD is not a small party to decide on the merger without going into the details. Any merger should be on an equal footing," he said.

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