Date:12/08/2003 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2003/08/12/stories/2003081209451200.htm

National

Karnataka unit of Janata Dal(U) dissolved

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI AUG. 11. The Janata Dal (U) president, Sharad Yadav, today dissolved the Karnataka unit of the party and appointed B. Shreepathy Rao, as its convenor.

In an order, Mr. Yadav said that it had come to his notice that the Karnataka State unit has not been functioning according to the provisions of the party constitution, and in exercise of the powers vested with him, he had taken the decision.

The order came five days ahead of the formal merger of the JD (U) with the Janata Dal (S) in Karnataka.

The party's lone legislator, P.G.R. Sindhia and the State party chief, N. Thipanna, had announced their decision to merge earlier this month.

Meanwhile, in a development that could have a bearing on the State politics, the Rajya Sabha MP, Vijay Mallya, had recently called on Mr. Yadav.

Mr. Mallya, who had joined the JD (U) last year had moved to the All India Progress Janata Dal and is currently with the Janata Party.