Southern States - Karnataka-Bangalore   

Sindhia discusses `third front' with Ajit Singh

By Our Special Correspondent

Bangalore July 8. The former minister and senior leader of the JD(U), P.G.R.Sindhia, has expressed hope that a third front would be formed at the national level with the unification of the "Janata Parivar" in the State. Mr. Sindhia was addressing the Yuva Janata Dal workers' meeting here on Tuesday. He held a long discussion with the former Union minister, Ajit Singh, here on Monday, apparently on the formation of the third front. The Vice-President of the JD(U), C.Narasimhappa, also participated in the meeting.

Mr. Sindhia said the merger of the JD(U) and the JD(S) would be completed in a few weeks and this would inspire the other Janata Dal activists to join the new entity. The unification of the "Janata Parivar" was a must under the circumstances, and the JD(U) had yielded to the long-pending demand of the party's rank and file. The country was passing through a critical phase and there was need for a third front, he said.

Referring to reports that he had been isolated by the All-India Progressive Janata Dal (AIPJD) and left to fend for himself, Mr. Sindhia said he had won many electoral battles based on his credibility. "The people are my masters and I cherish serving them. They will stand by me at all times, particularly when I need them the most. I have nothing against the AIPJD leaders and they are my good friends. I don't regret remaining with the JD(U)," he said.

The JD(U) leader, referring to a reply given by the Working President of the Janata Party, Vijay Mallya, to clarifications sought by the JD(U) State unit President, N.Thippanna, wanted the former to prove how he got 46 votes in the Rajya Sabha elections. "If he has the courage, let him place the facts before the Speaker of the Assembly or before the Chief Election Commissioner. If he has any evidence of having obtained the votes using money, the legislators who voted for him will automatically be disqualified," he said.

Mr. Thippanna took a dig at some AIPJD leaders who opposed the tie-up between the JD(U) and the JD(S).

The JD(U) State unit Vice-President, H.T.Krishnappa, said that in the past, political parties were strong and the legislators had to comply with the regulations of the party concerned.

The JD(U) leaders, D.S.Srikantamurthy, B.Shreepathy Rao, and Irfanulla Sharief, spoke.

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