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October 11, 2000

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Paswan rules out patch-up with Sharad Yadav

Union Communications Minister and Janata Dal (United) leader Ram Vilas Paswan on Wednesday ruled out any patch up with party president Sharad Yadav and reiterated that he would float a new party on November 23.

Addressing a press conference in Lucknow, Paswan said he had earlier thought of not leaving the JD (U) if Yadav decided to relinquish the post of party president. ''But now the patch up seems an impossible proposition.''

Paswan, who is touring Utar Pradesh in preparation for a Dalit Sena rally in Lucknow, termed the JD (U) a sinking ship and said its base was fast shrinking.

He was joined by three ministers in the Uttar Pradesh government, who are members of the Janata Dal (Rajram).

Raj Ram Pandey, one of the ministers present during the press conference, said though Paswan would announce the new party in Delhi on November 23 he was already with Paswan.

Paswan said floating a new party was the only alternative left to him.

He said it was ironical that the party, which had given three prime ministers, was fast losing its relevance. The Election Commission had even given it the status of a regional party.

He said Yadav was responsible for the split in the Janata Dal because he wanted to be party president. The Samata Party broke away with it just before the Bihar assembly elections which benefitted Laloo Prasad Yadav, he added.

Paswan said the three-year-old party could not even hold a national executive meeting. Moreover, after completing one year in Parliament, it had failed to elect its leader in the Lok Sabha.

The JD(U) has ten members in Parliament, two from Karnataka and eight from Bihar.

In reply to a question, Paswan said: ''The JD (U) has been reduced to a 'b' team of Laloo Prasad Yadav in Bihar''.

He said he had planned to float a new party last year but J H Patel and George Fernandes prevented him from doing so.

Refusing to admit that his new party would divide the anti-Laloo votes in Bihar, Paswan said he also had the support of the upper castes, unlike the Bahujan Samaj Party.

Asked whether he had spoken to former prime minister H D Deve Gowda about his decision, Paswan remarked:'' ''There is no need for it.''

He also declined to seek any support of another former prime minister, V P Singh, while floating his political outfit. ''We would consult him only if he returns to active politics,'' Paswan said.

UNI

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