Date:17/07/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/07/17/stories/2008071753780400.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Return home, JD(U) tells Siddaramaiah, M.P. Prakash

Special Correspondent

Nadagouda says he is in touch with many leaders of Janata Parivar

Bangalore: Claiming that the Janata Dal (United) is the base of all Janata Dal factions, president of the State unit of the party M.P. Nadagouda has called upon senior political leaders, including the former Deputy Chief Ministers Siddaramaiah and M.P. Prakash and the former Minister P.G. R. Sindhia and their followers to return to the party’s fold in the interest of better upkeep of democracy and the State.

He told presspersons after a State-level meeting of the party functionaries here on Wednesday that he has been in constant touch with all the leaders who were once the pillars of the formidable party.

Reunification of all Janata Dal factions had become an imperative exercise in the light of the post-election political situation in the State and the ongoing developments at the Centre.

It was time the leaders and volunteers, who were once with the Janata Dal (United) and now struggling to protect their identities and political rights in other parties, joined hands for a better future for the party and themselves, he said.

It was no secret that many former party colleagues who took refuge in the Congress and Janata Dal (Secular) were now “sulking in despair.” On the other, the BJP had exhibited its ugly face by encouraging defection in an unseemly manner.

“Our friends and their supporters now know the value of inner party democracy, their political rights, individual leadership and democracy they enjoyed while being with the JD(U),” he said.

Asked whether he was in touch with Mr. Siddaramaiah, Mr. Prakash and Mr. Sindhia, Dr. Nadagouda said that he had been in touch with them. Encouraged by the preliminary discussion he had with Mr. Sindhia, he would hold talks with Mr. Siddaramaiah, Mr. Prakash and others interested in strengthening the organisation. “I do not my mind any sacrifice for the purpose”.

He said he was appointed president of the State unit after B. Somashekhar resigned owing moral responsibility for the party’s poor show in the Assembly elections.

Stating that he would be happy to be the elected president of the party, Dr. Nadagouda said that his priority was to strengthen the organisation.

The party had already launched a membership drive across the State and was gearing up for the elections.