The Hindu : State JD(U) may dissociate itself from national unit

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Apr 12, 2002

Southern States

Southern States - Karnataka

State JD(U) may dissociate itself from national unit

By S. Rajendran

BANGALORE APRIL 11. The State unit of the Janata Dal (United) is believed to be heading for a split from the national unit, mainly to meet legal requirements, unless the party President and Union Minister for Labour, Sharad Yadav, agrees to the party leaving the National Democratic Alliance, and accepts its merger with the JD (Secular).

Sources in the party told The Hindu on Thursday that a split appeared certain since Mr. Yadav "was in no mood" to walk out of the Government.

A meeting on Thursday, in which the senior leaders of the JD(U) and the JD(S) discussed the modalities of a merger of the parties, reportedly turned out to be an occasion for floating a new party to ensure that the State unit of the JD(U) was free from the national unit. If that happens, the JD(S) is likely to be dissolved to enable the party workers and leaders to join the new organisation.

The moves being made by the second-line leaders of the JD(U) would take shape only after the party supremo and former Chief Minister, Ramakrishna Hegde, speaks out on what he would like to do. A delegation of the party legislators was with him prior to the merger meeting and later in the evening, to ascertain what he would like them to do. The former Prime Minister, and MP, H.D. Deve Gowda, is in Gujarat, but he is reported to be maintaining close contact with his partymen on the developments here.

It was said that if Mr. Sharad Yadav stuck to the view that the JD(U) should continue as a national party at least for some more time, the State unit of the JD(U), bereft of all the present leaders, would apparently continue under a new leader nominated by Mr. Yadav. It was in that context that the proposal to float a new party, "All-India Janata Dal", has emerged. However, the new party could gain in strength only if Mr. Hegde and Mr. Deve Gowda sank their differences. However, it was said this was unlikely, going by the statements made by them.

Mr. Hegde has said that the merger should come about only after detailed discussions, to ensure that a united Janata Dal does not split again. However, the second-line leaders of the JD(U) have apparently not given due consideration to the suggestion, going by the speed with which the merger proposal is being taken forward. The State-level leaders of both the parties are scheduled to meet again early on Friday to resolve some of the vexed issues.

Mr. Deve Gowda, Mr. Hegde, and S.R. Bommai, who has not been in good health in recent months, have stayed clear of the merger discussions although they are briefed on the developments. There is the opinion that it is Mr. Deve Gowda who is expediting the matter, rather than Mr. Hegde.

Sources in the JD(S) and the JD(U) said the names of the presidents of the State units of the two parties — Siddaramaiah and C. Byre Gowda — were discussed for the post of the President of the State unit of the new party. The names of the former minister and MLC, M.P. Prakash, and the former minister and floor leader of the JD(U) in the Legislative Assembly, P.G.R. Sindhia, were also discussed. With the Vokkaligas having an upper hand in the party, more so because Mr. Deve Gowda hailed from the community, Mr. Prakash was likely to receive wide acceptance since he belongs to the Lingayat community, sources added.

The 19 legislators of the JD(U) have presented a picture of solidarity, despite the differences among them on whether to agree to a merger with the JD(S), or constitute themselves into a separate group in the Legislative Assembly and later align themselves with the new party. By taking such a step, they will not be inviting action under the provisions of the anti-defection law.

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