Southern States - Karnataka   

Hegde returns, confirms support to Mallya

By Our Special Correspondent

Bangalore May 25. The former Karnataka Chief Minister, Ramakrishna Hegde, returned here early today after undergoing brain surgery in London, raising hopes in the Janata Parivar that he will once again be able to provide the much-needed leadership and direction, and end the chaotic state of affairs in the group. Though Mr. Hegde appeared to be weak and not able to return to active politics for the time being, his mental faculties were alert. It was illustrated by the statement he made to two television channels. He was away in London for a little over two months.

However, what is of interest is that he has stood by his statement issued from London blessing the efforts being made by the independent member of the Rajya Sabha, Vijay Mallya, under the auspices of the Janata Party to bring about the merger of the Janata Dal factions. Sources close to Mr. Hegde said that he reiterated what he had told them when they had contacted him in London about the statement about Mr. Mallya's moves. Some Janata Dal (U) leaders in public and others in private had doubted the authenticity of Mr. Hegde's statement and suspected it to be a concocted one. They could not come to terms with Mr. Hegde asking them to join hands with his political foe, Subramanian Swamy, who heads the Janata Party. In his statement, Mr. Hegde said he was distressed with the affairs of the Janata Dal, and appealed to the leaders and the workers to stand united.

In an emotional statement, Mr. Hegde said he had never hoped to return to India. It was the grace of God which had saved him. It would take another two months for him to recover. He thanked the State Government and the Chief Minister, S.M. Krishna, for their gesture in sanctioning financial assistance for his medical treatment in the U.K.. He also thanked his friends, well-wishers, and the people of the State.

The plane carrying Mr. Hegde landed here at 4.15 a.m., and among those present to receive him were his trusted colleague and former Minister, V.S. Krishna Iyer, M.P. Nadagouda, MLC, B. Sreepathy Rao of the Janata Dal (U), N.H. Konareddy, General Secretary of the All-India Janata Dal, Devakumar (Vice-President), Pradeep Kumar Reddy, who recently quit the AIJD, K.S. Nagaraj, V. Muniyappa, R. Jagadish, and Jayaprakash. When he arrived at his residence, Kritika, in Rajamahalvilas Extension, the Kannada Chaluvaligar leader, G. Narayana Kumar, was there to welcome him.

According to sources, Mr. Hegde will not be receiving anyone in the next few days as he is in need of rest and recuperation. The leaders of the Janata Dal groups will talk to him after some days.

In a statement, Mr. Mallya said: "I am sure the State will thank God and wholeheartedly welcome the return of Mr. Hegde.'' He said Mr. Hegde was the only leader with credibility and stature who could bring about a value-based and honest political alternative in the State.

There have been formidable issues and developments in the last two months for Mr. Hegde to address once he returns to normality. The main issue is the general reluctance among the AIJD and the Janata Dal (U) leaders, not to speak of the Janata Dal (S) leaders, to accept the leadership of anyone connected with the Janata Party. They are unhappy that a newcomer to politics such as Mr. Mallya, who was elected to the Rajya Sabha primarily with the votes of the MLAs from the Janata Dal factions, was now asking them to follow his leadership and into the Janata Party. Mr. Mallya was elected also with the votes of the BJP rebels and those of the Congress MLAs.

Though Mr. Hegde may have taken the stand that let bygones be bygones with regard to Dr. Subramanian Swamy, others, including those in the Janata Dal (S), may not accept it. He has also to contend with the isolation of the Janata Dal (U) group leader in the Legislative Assembly, P.G.R. Sindhia, who was once enthusiastic about the merger of the Janata Dal factions.

Mr. Sindhia, who has been most effective in opposing the Congress Government, especially in the Assembly, is known to have shown a reluctance to join the AIJD.

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