NEW DELHI: Five party opposition combine National Front will contest some 360 seats, a Janata Dal spokesman announced, PTI reports.
It was a marked reduction in the Front’s declared intention of fielding candidates in 375 constituencies. The decision was made as elections were not being held in Assam, Janata Dal leader Jaipal Reddy told a press conference here.
He said the Janata Dal would strive for one-to-one contest all over the country. “Our state units have been asked to deal with the parties with a view to avoid a split of votes,” he added.
He, however, refused to comment on whether the declaration signified some seat adjustments for the National Front or the Janata Dal had decided on its own the total number of seats it was planning to contest.
Jaipal Reddy evaded the question on whether this early declaration of candidates would affect the negotiations on seat adjustments with potential electoral allies outside the National Front.
Jaipal Reddy also announced that party president Vishwanath Prajap Singh had finalized the parliamentary boards for the eastern state of Bihar and southern state of Karna taka.
Article extracted from this publication >> October 27, 1989
