Sharad Yadav hints at no action against Paswan

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, NOV. 25. The Janata Dal (United) is not in a hurry to take any action against its senior leader, Mr. Ram Vilas Paswan, and if the issue is merely one of office of the party president, let him contest, for the party's national executive committee meeting here tomorrow would be finalising the timetable for party elections.

Mr. Sharad Yadav, JD(U) president, did not want to name Mr. Paswan directly, but he left no one in any doubt whom he was referring to when he said: ``if he had not spoken outside the party forum, if he had brought his grievances to the party, I would have made any sacrifice for the party''.

The meaning was more than clear. He could have considered ``sacrificing the party position'' but now that Mr. Paswan has taken the battle outside the party forum, it would be up to him to contest for whatever office he wants. As for Mr. Yadav, he said that he has never stayed glued to any office.

The party's office-bearers met today and it was decided that the executive committee would not only finalise the postponed timetable for organisational elections but would also detail the party programme for the next six months. An overall resolution would also be adopted. The main issue in the party right now is related to Mr. Paswan. Will he, won't he leave the party to float his independent party? Or will he continue his independent activities while remaining within the party but keeping aloof? It seems that the JD(U) is not in the mood to take action.

``In my whole life I have never thrown out anyone. The matter will be before the executive, and it will be for the executive to decide,'' Mr. Yadav, who was addressing a press conference, said. But it seems that the party would like Mr. Paswan to take the final step of breaking away rather than take the blame for pushing him out.

``Jise ghar se jana hai, use rok nahin sakte, jise rahna hai rah sakta hai ( we cannot stop someone who wants to leave home, but those who want to stay are welcome)'' Mr. Yadav said, explaining his own attitude. He also virtually rejected the charges made by Mr. Paswan that he had not been calling regular party meetings. The executive met till the merger of the JD(U), the Samata and the Lok Shakti was effected. After that a steering committee of five members from each of the parties was formed and that committee met regularly, he said, reeling off the dates and displaying the register of attendance.

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