Fernandes faction denies approaching EC on JD(U) party polls

New Delhi, Apr 14 (UNI) Differences within the Janata Dal (United) between the factions of NDA convenor George Fernandes and newly-elected party chief Sharad Yadav seem to be on the verge of being resolved with both the factions making conciliatory gestures.

''Whatever differences are there between the leaders, it will be resolved within the party forum,'' sources close to Mr Fernandes told UNI.

They also denied reports that Mr Fernandes has approached the Election Commission complaining about misconduct in the party polls held in Patna earlier this week.

Asked whether Mr Fernandes is planning to move the Commission, they said that no such decision has been taken as yet.

About the differences between the two factions, they said, ''It is all media creation. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Mr Yadav had already met Mr Fernandes in Patna and none of the leaders have spoken anything against each other-neither Mr Fernandes nor Mr Yadav.

Moreover, whatever issues are there they would be solved within the party forum.'' Asked if any meeting between Mr Fernandes and Mr Yadav is in the offing, they said that it would be decided only after Mr Fernandes comes back to Delhi. At present Mr Fernandes is in Dhanbad in Bihar in connection with a programme from where he would go to Kolkata to campaign for Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress in the West Bengal Assembly polls.

Mr Fernandes has maintained a stoic silence since suffering a humiliating defeat by 25-413 votes at the hands of Mr Yadav during the National Council Meeting. Following the poll results media speculation was rife over his differences with Mr Yadav.

Mr Yadav has also adopted a conciliatory approach and told the media yesterday that Mr Fernandes would remain the NDA convenor.

Denying any differences either within the Janata Dal (U) or with Mr Fernandes he said that the latter would continue to play his role he was playing within the NDA. He said that he along with Nitish Kumar has already met Mr Fernandes thrice and several other leaders are meeting him.

UNI AJ RP VC1857