JD groups to field common candidates

By Our Special Correspondent

BANGALORE, APRIL 7. The Janata Dal (United) which, till now, was quite cautious in initiating steps for a merger with the Janata Dal (Secular), today sent written directions to all its district unit presidents to coordinate with the JD(S) in fielding common candidates for the coming elections to the urban local bodies.

The Secretary-General of the JD(U), Mr. Basavaraja Rayaraddi, and the Vice-President, Mr. John. B. Coutinha, told presspersons here that the ball was now in the court of the JD(S). It was up to that party to reciprocate. The party spokesman, Mr. B. Shreepathy Rao, was also present at the press conference.

Mr. Rayaraddi said he had informed the JD(S) State unit President and former Deputy Chief Minister, Mr. Siddaramaiah, about the written directions issued by the party. "I also requested Mr. Siddaramaiah to issue a similar direction since it would hasten the pace of the merger of the two parties. Mr. Siddaramaiah readily agreed to issue the directions."

He said senior JD(U) leaders were also trying to organise a meeting between the former Chief Minister, Mr. Ramakrishna Hegde and the former Prime Minister and JD(S) chief, Mr. H.D. Deve Gowda. "If the two leaders meet and sort out all the differences, the merger can be clinched within a short span of time. The time is now ripe for the two top leaders to meet. Mr. Hegde has already made it clear that he is willing to forget the past and that he will meet Mr. Deve Gowda in the interest of the workers and the party. The feelings expressed by Mr. Hegde have been conveyed to Mr. Deve Gowda and it is for him to respond. The meeting of the two leaders should come about any time although it cannot be clearly said whether it will be before the elections to the municipalities."

Mr. Rayaraddi said since it would take some more time for the formalities of the merger to be completed, the two parties would have an understanding for the coming elections. They would field common candidates and campaign jointly. "If needed, we will even sacrifice some seats but the fielding of rebel candidates and such things will not be permitted. We have also directed the district presidents of the party not to have any tie-up with the BJP in any of the constituencies despite the fact that we are a part of the National Democratic Alliance at the national level . Our rival is the ruling Congress in the State. The list of candidates for the municipal elections will be ready by April 15." The elections are scheduled to be held on May 3.

After the elections, the JD(U) State Executive Committee meeting would be held here in June where a further impetus would be given to the merger with the JD(S) in case it had not happened by then. The Executive Committee would pass a resolution to formally withdraw from the NDA and also request the national executive of the party to approve its stand. Ultimately it was for the national executive to decide on withdrawing from the NDA. "We have already spoken to the party President and Union Minister for Civil Aviation, Mr. Sharad Yadav, in this connection," he said.

Asked about the April 11 deadline set by the JD(S) on the merger question, he said it was improper for the JD(S) to set any deadline. Knowing the difficulties involved, it should not be issuing such statements. "We are also a serious and major political party in the State. We are not running a social club to yield to such deadlines."

Mr. Coutinha appealed to the minorities to support the JD and said: "We should not be considered a communal party as is being made out in certain quarters. We are a secular and decentralised party and there is no question of any sychophancy." This statement was a reference to the JD(U) distancing itself from the BJP.

Mr. Rayaraddi announced the list of party observers for all the districts for the municipal elections. The observers, who were all leaders of the party, along with the district presidents and other local leaders would coordinate with the JD(S) and finalise the candidates for the elections.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : Southern States
Previous : Cong. observers for municipal elections
Next     : I had no role in denial of ticket: Antony