JD (U) stalwarts contest and George fight for party post

Patna, Apr 10 (UNI) With the deadline for withdrawal of nominations, expiring the straight contest between two stalwarts of JD (U), Mr Sharad Yadav and Mr George Fernandes for the post of party's National President, is imminent.

While Mr Yadav holds the post of party's parliamentary board president, Mr Fernandes is party's National President.

With the time for the withdrawal expiring at 1800 hours today, both the contenders are in the fray for the coveted post.

JD (U) spokesman Shambhu Srivastav told UNI that though the nomination process was over, senior leaders of the party were persuading them to work to wards a compromise. They were trying to evolve a consensus over the issue, he said and hoped that either of the candidate might withdraw from the fray before the national council meeting begins tomorrow.

Party sources said that senior leader Vashishth Narayan Singh was given the task of convincins convince Mr Fernandes to withdraw from the contest. However, nothing has materialised so far.

The silence of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar in the entire episode is conspicuous.

Meanwhile, preparations for the two-day national convention of the party commencing tomorrow are leving given final touches in which the elections for the post of its national president is scheduled.

UNI RS PC SS VC2226