RJD's tenth foundation day marked by open revolt

Ranchi, Jul 5 (UNI) The day of tenth foundation celebration of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) today brought despair to the party's state unit with simmering rift in it coming to fore when rebel groups held a separate function on the occasin in an open challenge to the leadership.

In sharp contrast to the rebel camp's--comprising five out of total seven party mlas--celebration marked by larger participation at the assemlby campus here, the official function was almost lacklustre in absence of any senior leaders organised at the town hall in the state capital.

The five MLAs comprised Mr Wday Shankar Singh, Mr Prakash Ram, Mr Ramchandra Chandrabanshi, Mr Videsh Singh and Ramchandra singh.

Refusing to termed as rebels, Mr Uday Shankar Singh of the five legislators said they would work to strengthen the party and would not spare anybody who would be found trying to do so.

Another member of the group,Mr Prakash Ram said the dalits were feeling marginalised in the RJD and they were not being taken into confidence in terms of party policy matters.

He stressed the need on re-organisation of the party and rgretted that the central leader was not ignoring the same.

Last week, RJD's state president Gautam Sagar Rana had decided to celebrate the foundation day in all district headquarters with a view to reaching people.

Accordingfly, Mr Girinath Singh (MLA), a close aide of the president, was present in the function held at Garwah district today.

Mr Singh said in on July Five, 1996, the RJD was formed in Delhi with an aim to fight commuinal elements and regretted that there were still some elements in the party who were puting hurdle in the mission.

He said party leadership was keeping a close watch in the development.

The state president put up a brave face, saying the day was observed in the state capital.

Mr Rana hoped that differences would be sorted out and added that he would talk to the party's national president in this regard.

The difference in the RJD came to light when the five favoured joining the bjp-led nda government in the state following Mr Babulal Marandi's resigning from the BJP's preliminary membership last in may last.

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