JD(U) withdraws in favour of BJP

By Our Special Correspondent

BANGALORE, FEB. 3. The BJP and the Janata Dal(United) have achieved what appears to be impossible with the latter agreeing not only to withdraw its candidate in favour of the BJP, but to have a joint campaign in the byelection to the Lok Sabha from the prestigious Bellary constituency, scheduled for February 17.

The relationship between the two parties touched its nadir after a brief but disappointing honeymoon in the last elections to the Lok Sabha, and the JD(U) leadership had firmly rejected the BJP's plea for support to its candidate in the byelection though this did not deter the latter from continuing its efforts for support.

But in a swift and surprising development on Thursday morning, the BJP succeeded in winning over the JD leadership at a brief meeting the BJP State unit president, Mr. B. S. Yediyurappa, had with the JD(U) leader and former Chief Minister, Mr. J. H. Patel, at his residence in the presence of the JD(U) leader in the Assembly, Mr. P.G.R. Sindhia.

During the meeting, Mr. Patel got in touch with the party's senior leader, Mr. Ramakrishna Hegde, in Delhi and the party candidate in Bellary on phone when Mr. Hegde advised withdrawal of the party candidate in the overall interest of the NDA Government of which JD(U) was a part.

The understanding arrived at between them was announced here by Mr. Yediyurappa at a joint press conference where the common refrain and chorus of the leaders of the two parties in reply to most questions about their earlier reservations on understanding was that the decision was dictated by the need to defeat the Congress(I).

The JD(U) State unit president, Mr. C. Byre Gowda, and Mr. P.G.R. Sindhia, said the decision to withdraw the party candidate followed advice by senior leaders after consulting senior leaders of NDA in the interest of the NDA and also to take political advantage of the anger of the voters who felt let down by Ms. Sonia Gandhi after being elected.

Mr. Sindhia said his party would participate in the campaign in favour of the BJP candidate under the leadership of Mr. M. P. Prakash.

Mr. Yediyurappa thanked the JD(U) for withdrawing its candidate and supporting its candidate, Mr. K. S. Veerabhadrappa.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : Regional
Previous : Gill holds talks with Bihar officials
Next     : Krishan Kant arrives