NEW DELHI: The Janata Dal (JD) has deputed former Union Minister 1,K. Gujaral to expedite the proposed JD Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) alliance in Punjab for the coming general election.

The development follows a meeting of the JD”s Political Affairs Committoe (PAG) here last week.

Speaking at the meeting, Mr.Gujaral Suggested that the JD should have an alliance with the Akali Dal as well as the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) in the stale. Some of the JD leaders were of the view that there was a difference of opinion in the Akali Dal over the issue of the alliance. They said President of the Akali Dal Parkash Singh Badal was in favor of the alliance with the BJP but other leaders, including President of the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) Gurcharan Singh Tohira, were opposed. To it Efforts are on to clinch the issue of the alliance by January 28, the national executive of the JD is scheduled to meet on January 29 and 29.

Giving details of the PAC meeting, Mr, Bommai told newsmen here last week that he would get in touch with President of the Samajwadi party (SP) Mulayam Singh Yadav, soon, to work out the seat adjustment between JD and SP in Uttar Pradesh.

The PAG took a decision that the efforts should be made to strengthen the National Front Left Front Combine to defeat the Congress and the BJP.

Replying to questions from reporters, Mr, Bommai made it clear that the JD would be favorably disposed towards the BSP, only if the SP approved of it.

The leader of the JD in the Lok Sabha, Mr, Sharad Yadav, made a “strong case for an alliance with the BSP. He said that the JD’s alliance with the BSP would help the party not only in Uttar Pradesh but also in Punjab, Haryana and Madhya Pradesh.

The Secretary General of the JD, Mr. Ram Vilas Paswan, who had been Opposing the BSP for a very long time, is said to have told the PAC members that he had no objection to it provided the SP was not averse to the idea.

Answering a specific question, Mr, Bommai said that his party would continue to work for an understanding between the two factions of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) in Andhra Pradesh. When pointed out by a reporter that the Chairman of the National Front, Mr, NT. Rama, Rao, who is also the president of one faction of the TDP, was hobnobbing with, the BJP, Mr. Bommai said “I welcome it.”

Mr, Bommai said the election would be held in April and contrary to speculation, there would be no hung Parliament. Moreover, the National Front Left Front would get an absolute majority, he added.

Mr. Bommai said the NFLF, which also included the SP, would have their own manifesto’s, However, the alliance partners would have a common minimum agreed program.

Among others, the two JD Chic Ministers Mr, Laloo Prasad Yadav and Mr. H.D, Deve Gowda Mr. Sharad Yadav, Mr.Ram Vilas Paswan, Mr, Mufti: Mohammad Sayeed, Mr, 1.K. Gujaral, Mr. Surendra Mohan, Mr. Biju Patnaik and Mr. Madhu Dandavate attended the meeting.

 

Article extracted from this publication >>  January 17, 1996