Select leaders before merger: Hegde

By Our Staff Reporter

BANGALORE, JUNE 9. Mr. Ramakrishna Hegde, Janata Dal (United) leader and former Chief Minister, on Saturday said that unless a decision was taken on who would lead a united Janata Dal at the national and State levels, no meaningful merger of the JD(U) and the JD (Secular) could be finalised. However, he said that there was no opposition to a merger of the two parties.

He was addressing a meeting of the presidents of the district units of the JD(U), party legislators and leaders.

Taking a lead from Mr. Honnappa, MLC from Mandya, and Mr. E. Nanje Gowda, former MLA from Hassan, who were critical of the way in which the former Prime Minister, Mr. H.D. Deve Gowda, handled the affairs of the erstwhile JD, Mr. Hegde said the all-India President of a united JD and the president of the State unit should be decided before the merger. Their term should be at least three years.

Recalling his ``bitter experience'' with Mr. George Fernandes after the merger of the Lok Shakti and the Samata Party, to form the JD(U), Mr. Hegde said there should not be a repeat. ``Some leaders may behave like a bridegroom who refuses to tie the `mangalasutra' demanding immediate payment of dowry,'' he said, and warned against any ``hasty decision''.

Reacting to the condition set by the JD(S) for a merger -- that the JD(U) severe links with the NDA by a deadline -- Mr. Hegde said the matter should be decided at the national level. The President and the Executive Committee of the JD(U) would have to take a decision, he added.

Mr. Hegde claimed that the JD(U) was the alternative to the

Congress as it was placed second after that party in both the Assembly and urban local body elections. Efforts to strengthen the party should be made, and he was ready to take up a district- wise tour and meet the party workers and address public meetings, he said.

He said that barring two decisions -- cease-fire in Jammu and Kashmir and the invitation to Pakistan's military ruler, Gen. Pervez Musharraf -- the NDA had failed on all fronts. The Congress Government in the State was also a failure, and the farmers were facing a difficult situation. The Chief Minister, Mr. S.M. Krishna, seemed to be focusing only on Bangalore, neglecting rural areas. If any Chief Minister confined himself to a particular constituency or caste, he was not fit for the post, he added.

Mr. Nanje Gowda cautioned his party leaders against Mr. Deve Gowda. He alleged that the former Prime Minister was a ``prisoner of his sons'', and that all his actions were prompted by their interests.

Earlier, the President of the State unit of the JD(U), Mr. C. Byre Gowda, said a committee of four leaders would be constituted to study the question of merger of the JD(U) and the JD(S). Most workers were looking forward to a merger of the two parties, he added.

He said that in the recent local body elections, the JD(U) did not get the support assured by the JD(S). He added that the election showed that the BJP was not strong in urban areas.

Mr. Raju of Shimoga, Mr. Sanjeeva Naik of Raichur, and Mr. Nagaraj of Chikmagalur, spoke. Mr. V.S. Krishna Iyer, former minister, Mr. B. Somashekar, President of the JD(U) Parliamentary Board, and Mr. K.B. Shanappa, Vice-President, were present.

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