JD(U) headed for another split

JD(U) headed for another split
PRESS TRUST OF INDIA

New Delhi, Nov 26: JD (U), a constituent of NDA, today appeared headed for an imminent split with dissident leader Ram Vilas Paswan, who floats a new outfit two days from now, and his two loyalist MPs boycotting a meeting of the party's national executive even as senior leader J H Patel continued a last-minute patch-up bid.

Paswan, his brother Ram Chandra and Jai Narain Nishad boycotted the meeting chaired by JD chief Sharad Yadav who was authorised to take disciplinary action against the dissidents.

JD (U) general secretary M Raghupati told reporters here that "strong unhappiness" were voiced at the meeting about the rally convened by Paswan on November 28 where the Communications Minister is expected to launch a new party.

Raghupati, however, indicated that the party leadership might not take any precipitate action by slapping disciplinary notice on Paswan or expelling him by contending that the "move will not come from us".

Party sources said disciplinary action against Paswan before he floated a new organisation would only make him a hero.

But all the same JD (U) seems to be reconciled to apossible split with the party leadership saying that if Paswan has made up his mind to part ways, none can prevent him.

On the other hand, Patel had informal parleys with the rival factions last night and this morning to hammer out a rapprochement but he seemed to have made little headway.