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National

Left leaders, Gowda hold talks

Special Correspondent

Focus on Mayawati’s recent announcement on LS election

Mayawati, Ajit Singh stay away from meeting
JD(S) to contest by-elections alone

— Photo: V.V. Krishnan

Reinforcing ties: CPI(M) general secretary Prakash Karat with Janata Dal (Secular) president Deve Gowda at a meeting in New Delhi on Thursday.

NEW DELHI: Top Left leaders on Thursday held discussions with the former Prime Minister and Janata Dal(Secular) president H.D. Deve Gowda on the political situation in the country, especially Bahujan Samajwadi Party chief and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati’s recent announcement that her party would contest all the seats in the State in the coming Lok Sabha election on its own.

“We discussed the latest political developments in the country,” Communist Party of India general secretary A.B. Bardhan said after the two hour-long luncheon meeting at Mr. Gowda’s residence.

Replying to queries, the JD(S) leader said he had had a long relationship with the Left parties and recalled that they had supported him when he was chosen the Prime Minister.

Communist Party of India (Marxist) general secretary Prakash Karat and CPI national secretary D. Raja were also present at the meeting.

The meeting comes in the wake of reports that Rashtriya Lok Dal leader Ajit Singh was upset over Ms. Mayawati’s announcement as it would mean that she would not have any alliance with his party. Mr. Singh had, along with Ms. Mayawati, backed the Left Front in voting against the government in the recent vote of confidence and at that time it was understood that the BSP and RLD would contest jointly in the coming general election.

Mr. Gowda refused to divulge the details of the meeting, but reiterated that his party was with the Left parties.

“The issue is settled. There is no ambiguity on it.”

Refusing to comment on the absence of Ms. Mayawati and Mr. Singh at the meeting and speculations over their association with the third front, Mr. Gowda said, “currently, the final shape of the alliance is not known. There is no Lakshman rekha to it as of now.”

Mr. Bardhan also refused to comment on Mr. Singh’s absence. Asked about Mr. Singh’s reported displeasure over Ms. Mayawati’s announcement, he said, “He is entitled to his opinion.”

Mr. Gowda announced that his party would go alone in the coming Assembly by-elections in Karnataka to fill the seats of five JD(S) and two Congress MLAs, who had resigned recently to join the Bharatiya Janata Party.

“I had given a call for all secular parties to come together to defeat the communal forces and teach the betrayers a lesson. But, there has been no response. Why should the JD(S) keep quite. We will fight all the seven by-elections on our own.” He came down heavily on BJP president Rajnath Singh, for “openly” wooing MLAs from other parties in Karnataka.

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