Fernandes induction may hasten JD(U) exit from NDA

By S.Rajendran

BANGALORE, OCT. 16. The induction of the Samata Party leader, Mr. George Fernandes, into the Union Cabinet is likely to hasten the exit of the Janata Dal(U) from the National Democratic Alliance. Given the circumstances under which the political realignment is to take place, it would also expedite the merger of the Janata Dal(U) and the Janata Dal(S).

High-level meetings were held in Bangalore and New Delhi on Monday to decide on the future strategy of the Janata Dal(U). Reports have it that the Janata Dal(U) would split once again with the New Delhi faction under the patronage of its President and Union Minister for Labour, Mr. Sharad Yadav, remaining with the NDA at least for some more time, and the Karnataka section, headed by Mr. Ramakrishna Hegde, constituting itself into an independent party.

Sources in the party told The Hindu here on Tuesday that at the meeting held at the residence of the party's Parliamentary Board Chairman, Mr. B. Somashekar, it was decided that the State unit of the Janata Dal(U) should call off its association with the NDA.

It is apparent that such a resolution at the meeting was a direct fallout of the induction of Mr. George Fernandes as the Defence Minister. It is common knowledge that it was Mr. Fernandes, who had exerted pressure on the Prime Minister, Mr. A. B. Vajpayee, to keep Mr. Hegde out of the Union Cabinet.

Among those who attended the meeting were the party's State unit President, Mr. C. Byre Gowda, the national General Secretary, Mr. M. Raghupathy, the Floor Leader of the party in the Legislative Assembly, Mr. P. G. R. Sindhia, the City unit President, Mr. R. V. Harish, the State Secretary-General, Mr. Basavaraja Rayaraddi, and senior leaders, Mr. V. S. Krishna Iyer and Mr. B. N. Bachche Gowda.

Incidentally, Mr. Ramakrishna Hegde left for France early today to attend a meeting of the Indo-French Forum and would return to Bangalore on October 26. The exit of the Janata Dal(U) from the NDA would be finalised within a few days thereafter.

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