NEWS
ANALYSIS
SPECIALS
INTERVIEW
CAMPAIGN TRAIL
CONSTITUENCY
ISSUES
GALLERY
MANIFESTOS
INDIA SPEAKS!
COUNTDOWN
CHAT
PREVIOUS RESULTS
SCHEDULE
DISCUSSION GROUP

JD (U) MPs discuss matters other than cabinet formation

The newly-elected MPs of the Janata Dal (United) met at the residence of Defence Minister George Fernandes today even as the National Democratic Alliance geared up to form the government at the Centre.

Party spokesman Mohan Prakash said the meeting did not discuss about cabinet formation because it would tantamount to undermining the prime minister's authority. He maintained that only the JD (u) president Sharad Yadav and parliamentary party leader George Fernandes, who held a 15-minute meeting with the prime minister, could discuss the issue.

Prakash said the meeting discussed the political situation in Karnataka and came to the conclusion that the party's alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party was not natural and that it would be difficult to get the grassroots workers involved in this partnership.

He said the party's focus in coming months would be on the states of Bihar, Orissa and Manipur where the assembly elections are scheduled next year.

The spokesman said the meeting also discussed whether the party should stake claim to the Janata Dal symbol - chakra - which was frozen by the Election Commission following the split in the party.

UNI

Tell us what you think of this report