Samata, JD(U) bid to end bickering on Bihar CM issue

A senior Samata leader confided that only a couple of days back, George Fernandes, Nitish Kumar and Ram Vilas Paswan had met to sort out the issue. Particularly in the Samata circle, there is reportedly a strong feeling that the BJP is playing its card in an astute manner to create confusion in the NDA camp on this issue.

Insiders maintain that during the meeting, the leaders also decided to appoint a new president for the party instead of Sharad Yadav. They were reportedly sceptical that at the time of distribution of tickets for the Bihar Assembly polls, Sharad Yadav may prefer to give priority to his ownsupporters and ignore the claims of Samata and Paswan supporters.

Paswan, according to the sources, also made it clear that he was even prepared to contest the elections under the banner of the Dalit Sena. However, the issue is likely to be settled before the merger. Sharad Yadav, who was initially keen to continue as the president of the unified party, is learnt to have agreed to make room for a new incumbent. The only condition is the new person should not be from the JD(U) or the Samata. The search is on for a person acceptable to both the factions. Though the name of Karnataka JD leader J.H. Patel had figured at one stage, the sources ruled out his induction. But Fernandes is apparently keen to bring him in place of Sharad Yadav.

However, the most accepted name for the job has been that of Ram Krishna Hegde. According to sources, Hegde has been constantly tuned in to Bihar’s political situation and in touch with the state unit of his party. Moreover, by inducting him as the chief of new party, Hegdewill have the opportunity to play a major role in Central politics.