Deve Gowda, Sharad Yadav discuss 'political developments'

New Delhi, May 24 (UNI) In a significant development, Janata Dal (Secular) president and former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda and J D (United) president Sharad Yadav had an hour-long meeting, leading to speculation about possible efforts to bring the two factions together.

J D (U) President Sharad Yadav, who is currently in Mumbai, confirmed the meeting and said the it was more of a 'political nature' and it would be too early to say anything on the issue. ''We enjoy good relationship and we will be meeting again. I can tell only this much at this point of time", Mr Yadav told UNI.

The Janata Dal split into Janata Dal (U) and J D (S) after the then Karnataka Chief Minister J H Patel decided to face the 1999 Assembly elections in alliance with the BJP. After the Assembly elections, the J D (U) faded into virtual oblivion in the state unable to survive the rough and tumble of electoral politics after the death of Mr Patel.

The J D (S), on the other hand emerged as a key player in the 2003 Assembly elections winning as many as 58 seats. Although the party got divided with former Deputy Chief Minister Siddaramaiah faction walking away with 10 MLAs and now the J D (S) under Mr Gowda's son Kumaraswamy's Chief Ministership now leading the coalition government with BJP as its partner.

Mr Gowda initially opposed the alliance but of late appears to have reconciled to the coalition. There have been number of meetings between NDA Convenor and former J D U) President George Fernandes in the past. But at that time, J D (U)'s relationship with the BJP was the only hitch. Now that the two parties find themselves on the same side, the barrier now stands destroyed, observers feel.

The, J D (U) on the other hand, now leads the BJP-J D (U) coalition in Bihar, having defeated the UPA coalition led by Lalu Prasad Yadav in the electoral battle.

In this background, the meeting of two Party Chiefs can view viewed more than routine meeting of the leaders of the two estranged factions.

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