BANGALORE, Dec 30: Lok Shakti chief and Rajya Sabha member Ramakrishna Hegde has decided to contest the coming Lok Sabha elections, even as the party is still undecided over having a poll pact with either the Congress or the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).In an interview with The Indian Express here on Sunday, Hegde said that he was in touch with senior leaders in the Congress and the BJP and nothing had been finalised as a clear picture of the pre-poll political scene was yet to emerge. ``Poll pact with a political party will mainly depend on the two factors -- compatibility and better deal for Lok Shakti,'' he said.
When asked how soon his party would decide on its partner, Hegde said that things would take shape by January 10 when he was expecting the BJP and the Congress to come out with their policies and programmes.
Moreover, some sudden developments in the State Janata Dal would have to be watched before deciding. ``All will depend on the final negotiations with these parties as Lok Shakti is keenon having seat adjustment with its partner all over the country rather than confining itself to Karnataka alone,'' he said.
Hegde has decided to lead his new-born party from the front. ``I will prefer to contest the elections from any of the three constituencies in Karnataka -- Bangalore (South), Bagalkot and North Canara. I will be open to any adjustment if the partner has difficulty in sparing any of the three constituencies,'' he said.
Even while saying that he was not averse to having seat adjustment with either of the two parties, Hegde made it clear that if his party is compelled to go it alone, it would contest all 28 seats.
At any cost, Hegde made it clear that the Shakti would not merge with either party. He also ruled out rejoining the Janata Dal, which he described as a spent force not only in Karnataka but all over the country.
``Lok Shakti will maintain its own identity. The party has started offices in 21 States, even though I agree that the party is very weak outside Karnataka,'' he
said. Hegde is negotiating with the national parties mainly on his party's strength in Karnataka. ``The BJP or the Congress will have to leave at least 50 seats for Lok Shakti outside Karnataka,'' he said.
When his attention was drawn to his frequently changing stand in politics which had not only confused the voters but also the political parties, Hegde said that what was being interpreted as `my soft corner' for various political parties was actually nothing by his frank opinion about his political opponents.
``I have never hesitated to appreciate my political opponents whenever they came out with good policies. I will continue to do this,'' he said.
He said that he had been advocating for two party system and the Congress and the BJP were emerging as the two major political forces in the country. ``At present, the Congress might have fallen in terms of values and many Congressmen are leaving the party which has given it a further jolt. On the other hand, the BJP is maintaining discipline and the
quality of leadership is much better''.
On the JD front, Hegde said that there was no trace of party in any northern State. The party was visible only in Karnataka and it would soon be liquidated due to severe infighting among its leaders.
Hegde ruled out any tie-up with the Laloo Prasad-led RJD since the Congress had made it clear that the alliance would be confined to Bihar. ``Lok Shakti is for a tie-up at national level,'' he said.
On his talks with Union Textile Minister R L Jalappa who has charged former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda with splitting the JD, Hegde admitted that Jalappa was a supporter of Laloo Prasad Yadav and wanted Lok Shakti to have a pact with RJD. ``I have held talks with Jalappa and his supporters and we have not reached any conclusion,'' he said.
Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
