George Fernandes supporters slaming of JD(U)to revive Samata Party

New Delhi, Jan 14: Supporters of National Democratic Alliance Convenor and Janata Dal (United) leader George Fernandes today alleged the party had turned into a 'pocket burough' of a couple of leaders incapable of opposing the wrongdoings of the UPA Government.

In the run up to the revival of Bihar based Samata Party, Mr Fernandes' supporters, many of whom who are in JD(U), will attend the Convention of Samata Party on January 21 expressing their deep dissatisfaction on the way the party was run after the leadership was taken over by Mr Sharad Yadav deposing the NDA Convenor in 'bogus organisational elections and through blatantly undemoractic means' crossing all limits of decency in April 2006.

The uncompromising struggle unleashed by Mr Fernandes against the Congress and RJD had resulted in the JD (U) winning the battle in November 2005 but it has turned out to be a hollow one as the party was captured shocking all right minded people in Bihar, Mr Shiv Kumar, a follower of Mr Fernandes and J D (U) General Secretary told UNI.

He said the JD (U) had ceased to function as a democratic and active party and raise issues concerning social, economic and political injustice. The party had fallen to 'lifeless and weak' leaders who belive in self aggrandisement than people's struggle, he added.

Mr Kumar said the party was unable to raise its voice against Prime Minister Manmohan Singh who had chosen to deal with issues of national sovereigty and self respect with casual gestures, tokenism or downright secrecy.

Political vendetta, unconstitutinal destabilising of state governments, partisan governors, backroom deals were hallmark of UPA government and Dr Singh was only a front, while the real power vests in a person with no constitutional authority, he said without taking any names.

Although Mr Fernandes, who represents Muzaffarpur Lok Sabha seat as J D (U) member may not attend the Samata Party convention, it will see the participation of thousands of active members of the J D (U) who were disillusioned with the functioning of Bihar government and relegating them to sidelines by the Nitish Kumar-led government, he alleged.

Janata Dal General Secretary Shambu Srivastava declined to take notice of the Mr Kumar's statement contending that Mr Fernandes is a senior leader and a member of the National Executive and was a senior member of the JD (U) Parliamentary Party. Party Sources who do not want to be quoted said there were many organisations who regard Mr Fernandes as their leader and the J D (U) cannot comment on the happenings of these organisations. ''We cannot comment on the affairs of another poltical entity,'' sources said and added Samata Party president Brahmanand Mandal had not issued any statement.

Asked if Mr Fernandes would attend the Samata Party convention, Mr Shiv Kumar avoided a direct answer when he said ''He is our leader we have his blessings.'' The J D (U) leaders including presidents of various state units like Asom, Nagaland, Manipur, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh are attending this meet, he claimed.

One of the reasons cited by the disatisfied JD (U) leaders is the nuclear deal, which they allege was taking place behind 'closed doors' and said India's interests were in a jeopardy the moment US decides to exercise its notions of 'self interest'.

The government was blindly ignoring any opposition to the ramifications of the deal or is sought to be settled behind the closed doors, Mr Shiv Kumar alleged.

The party, he alleged was not able to raise its voice against wrong policies of the UPA towards the suicides of farmers in the states of Maharashtra and Punjab while the prices essential commodities were piercing the skies and the common people find it difficult in making two ends meet.

The BJP's India Shining campaign was sought to be replaced by the Congress government which were seeking to compete to use public money to promote personalities of 'Congress dynasty' giving huge advertisements to the national newspapers. The Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme was a 'money recycling personal project' of the Congress, he alleged.

UNI