JD stalwarts including former MLA Bhimrao Rane, former deputy mayor Sangappa Kegnalkar, state unit office bearer Chanappa Savalgi have charged the State leadership of sidelining the loyalists who have served the party since the Janata Party days.

However, when the party bosses turned a deaf ear to the dissidents' plights, they led by former SMC corporator Prabhakar Vankudre, quit the party and so far are undecided over a political truck. The former JD strongmen suddenly have found themselves ``in demand'' with the mid-term polls being imposed on the nation. The local Congress, BJP and even the Samajwadi Party (SP) leaders have left no stone unturned to bring over the dissident group over to their side.

The obstacle for the reunion, it was stated, was the upper hand of Karnataka MLA Ravi Patil in the party, who according to the dissidents, was a newcomer, while they have been activists since many decades.

Meanwhile, politicking has engulfed the former JD men. Just a couple of days ago SP president Hussein Dalwai and State unit secretary Shaila Satpute held discussions with them and even they were given an opportunity to have a few words with SP chief Mulayam Singh, it was stated.

Congress leader and MP Sushilkumar Shinde too sent his emissary exploring the possibilities of the dissidents joining the Congress party. However, the group has not succumbed to any pressure or temptation so far remaining united. But for how many days they will remain united is a question asked by their own followers.

Speaking to The Indian Express here on Friday, Vandkudre said that the SP and the Congress have offered many things to them to join their party but the decision to this affect will be taken unanimously by all leaders after the visit of former minister Deve Gowda on May 2. Earlier, the situation was under control but after the broken honeymoon between the SP and Congress at the national level ``we are in a fix,'' he said.

He made it clear that there was no way they could join BJP or Shiv Sena.. ``We all are dedicated socialists who believe in secularism so no question of joining communal parties arises,'' he said. Meanwhile, it was learnt that the dissidents are divided over joining Congress and SP. Vankundre, Savalgi, Mahimkar are in favour of joining the SP while Kegnalkar, Rane and others are in favour of Congress. Kegnalkar has close relations with former MLA Yunus Shaikh and Sushil Kumar Shinde. So which side this breakaway group will sit will be decided on May 4.