The Hindu : Fernandes faces revolt in Muzaffarpur

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Mar 29, 2004

National

National

Fernandes faces revolt in Muzaffarpur

By K. Balchand

PATNA, MARCH 28. Even as Jai Narain Nishad, MP of the dissolved Lok Sabha, declared his intention to quit the Bharatiya Janata Party, the entire Muzaffarpur unit of the party has resigned protesting the candidature of the Janata Dal(U) chief and Defence Minister, George Fernandes.

Mr. Nishad met the Rashtriya Janata Dal chief, Laloo Prasad Yadav, late last night.

A formal announcement of his joining the RJD has not been made yet. Mr. Nishad, who belongs to an extremely backward caste, hopes to get the RJD ticket and contest against Mr. Fernandes.

Making things worse for Mr. Fernandes was the resignation by all members of the district unit, and declaring the candidature of their chief, Suresh Sharma, from Muzaffarpur.

However, the BJP general secretary, Muktar Abbas Naqvi, who was here today, said that he had no idea about the rebellion. He denied that the party was under any pressure from the JD (U).

The Muzaffarpur district unit office-bearers held an emergency meeting yesterday in which it was stated that the JD(U) should have spared the seat for the sitting MP.

They felt that the denial of ticket to Mr. Nishad would not only affect the prospects of the JD(U) in Muzaffarpur but also affect adversely the chances of the National Democratic Alliance in the neighbouring constituencies.

The district unit president, however, maintained silence on his candidature but said that the sentiments of the rank and file had been affected.

Demonstrations were also held against Mr. Fernandes.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

National