Several state units boycott JD(U) presidential election

Patna, Apr 11 (UNI) The controversy over poltical battle between two JD(U) stalwarts Sharad Yadav and George Fernandes for the post of its national president reached its crescendo following spontaneous poll boycott by several state units of the party on charges of irregularities and other malpractices.

Soon after an open session of the National Council, which began over five hours behind its schedule, the state units of the JD(U) from Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Uttar pradesh and some other units started venting their grievances in presence of the central as well as state leaders.

The members of the national council of several state units began to shout in favour of Mr Fernandes, alleging that the entire election was a farce and several members had been deliberately denied resgistration as delegates thus they could not vote.

Fredic DSouza, treasurer of the Maharashtra unit, which had a total of 70 votes, Subhash Gham and Balmukund alleged that the election process was not systemetic. G V Ramchandra, president of Backward wing of Karnataka (with 15 votes) unit alleged that there was manipulation and the party could not function in such a manner.

Md Nasir Ahmad, Lok Pal Jain and others said the Returning officer Anil hegde was removed in an undemocratic and unconstitutional manner only to support national parliamentry board chairman Sharad Yadav.

State returning officer of Tamil Nadu ( with 70 votes) C Vetrievel said the elections were not free and fair and the announcements made from the dais about last minute appointment of national returning officer was irregular.

He said the entire unit of Tamil Nadu was boycotting the polling process.

Majority of the members of other state units of the party alleged that the election for the post of JD(U) National President was ''undemocratic'' as the returning officer could not be removed without permission of the Election Commission.

MORE UNI RS SJC SS KP1922