Fernandes meets Nitish, speculation rife

Patna, Apr. 11 (UNI) Amid hyper activity for election to the post of Janata Dal (United) national president, incumbent George Fernandes met Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar here today.

Soon after his arrival here, Mr Fernandes drove straight to 1, Anne Marge (official residence of the Chief Minister) where he had talks with Mr Nitish Kumar.

The meeting was considered a last minute effort to arrive at a consensus on the name of the JD(U) president and facilitate unanimous election of the partys national president. An emergency meeting of the partys national excecutive was called soon after the meeting between Mr Nitish Kumar and Mr Fernandes.

It is believed that Mr Fernandes would announce his decision to withdraw from the fray and propose the name of party parliamentary board chairman Sharad Yadav for the top post.

Besides Mr Fernandes, Mr Yadav had also filed nomination papers.

Meanwhile, the party's national council meeting started at the local Shri Krishna Memorial Hall.

UNI RS-DH-PL LS ND1446