GANDHINAGAR: The Janata Dal in Gujarat split with central party observer Praduman Badheka announcing that the meeting of party legislators called by former minister Pravinsinhji Jadeja had the sanction of the party president S R Bommai.

Five of the 70 legislators and three members of parliament participated in the meeting.

Badheka later said Nov 19 meeting of Janata Dal legislators called by chief minister Chimanbhai Patel was not legal as it was not sanctioned by the party president.

Patel had claimed that 68 of the 70 Janata Dal legislators attended Nov 19 meeting.

Speakers at the meeting, which lasted for more than four hours, said Patel was finding it difficult to name his faction Janata Dal (socialist) fearing that at least 15 to 20 more MLAS would not join such a party.

Patel has already been expelled from the party.

No election for the leader of the legislative party was held at the ‘meeting.

Article extracted from this publication >> November 30, 1990