JD compromise formula falls flat

Prime Minister Inder Kumar Gujral was so upset with the developments that he ticked off senior leaders like Madhu Dandavate, Jaipal Reddy, SR Bommai and Paswan,8220; would prefer to be the leader of 350 MPs in the Lok Sabha rather than getting involved in the internal imbroglio of the Janata Dal.8221;

Gujral left for Calcutta today after prolonged discussions with the Bihar Chief Minister over telephone. The Prime Minister reportedly tried to convince Laloo not to be adamant about splitting the party, when Sharad Yadav seemed to be in a stronger position.

Laloo is understood to have told Gujral that he might come to the capital to make another effort for a compromise. He also expressed fears that Sharad Yadav would not rest until he removed Laloo from the Chief Minister8217;s post.

A minister in the Gujral government, who did not want to be named, said things were definitely heading towards a split with Laloo preparing the ground for forming his own party consisting of mostly Dal MPs and MLAs in Bihar.

The minister, who was involved in thrashing out a consensus formula, conceded that all the efforts so far have been almost like 8220;chasing a mirage8221;. The writing on the wall was evident the day Sharad Yadav filed his nomination papers in the presence of Civil Aviation Minister C M Ibrahim, a close associate of former Prime minister H D Deve Gowda.

He also admitted that the whole electoral system was faulty because the party had inherited its constitution from the Congress organisation when the Janata Party was formed in 1977. 8220;Is it fair if Andhra Pradesh which has less than one per cent of votes in the general election should have more votes to elect the party President than Karnataka where it is a ruling party,8221; he asked.

A statement by Ibrahim from Bareilly today that 8220;internal democracy8221; in the Janata Dal was very strong and that the current crisis in the party will soon be resolved gave an indication that party poll would be held on July 3.Replying to a question about Laloo, Ibrahim said, 8220;he is our senior leader and will take a decision which is in the interest of both the party and the country.8221;

It is now almost clear that Laloo is under pressure not to split the party at this juncture even if Sharad Yadav wins. Laloo has already got a reprieve from the Patna high court until July 21 on his being arrested in the fodder scam.

In the event of a split in the Janata Dal, the legislature party would also split which may lead to the fall of his government or imposition of the President8217;s rule.