Hegde hints at new front

MYSORE, JAN 11: National Lok Shakti chief and Union Commerce Minister Ramakrishna Hegde, today indicated the formation of a new front comprising the Samata Party, Lok Shakti, Biju Janata Dal, Haryana Vikas Party.

He told reporters at Hunsur, 45 km from here, where he addressed tobacco growers, that talks were on between the leaders of these parties. Union Social Welfare Minister Maneka Gandhi and Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee may also join the proposed front, he said.

He indicated that the Janata Dal, under the current leadership, would have no place in the front. The JD, he said, would cease to exist in Karnataka and other States.