Sharad keen on uniting JD factions to drive out Cong, BJP

Bangalore, May 5 (UNI) Newly-elected Janata Dal (United) National President Sharad Yadav today said he would strive hard to unite all the Janata Dal splinter groups to build a strong alternative to the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party in the country.

Speaking to newspersons here, Mr Yadav, who was visiting the state for the first time after assuming office as party President, said the main reason for disintegration of the party was not due to ideological differences, but personal enmity and egoism and exuded confidence that he would be able to unite all factions in the interest of the nation.

He said as part of his efforts, he would be meeting all leaders concerned, including JD(S) National President H D Deve Gowda and urge them to come together under a commom platform.

Earlier, addressing the party workers, Mr Yadav alleged that prices of all essential commodities had skyrocketed under the rule of the Congress-led UPA government at the Centre and said the common man was badly hit by the price hike.

The Congress and the Left parties, which had raised a hue and cry over the previous NDA government handing over two ITDC hotels to private parties, had now given away two international airports in Mumbai and Delhi to the private sector at throw-away prices, sacrificing the interests of the nation, he charged.

Mr Yadav pointed out that the Centre was importing five lakh tonnes of wheat from Australia paying Rs 1,000 per quintal when Indian farmers were struggling to fetch Rs 550 to Rs 600 for their produce in the domestic market. ''The wrong policies of the Centre had led to alarming rise in the number of farmers suicide in the country,'' he alleged.

State JD(U) President Somashekhar, Legislature Party Leader J C Madhuswamy and other party leaders were also present on the occasion.

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