Fernandes gets an invitation from Samata

New Delhi, Feb 13 (UNI) Samata Party Chief Brahmananda Mandal has put forth an unusual request to NDA Convener and former Defence Minister George Fernandes -- an invitation to be the Chief Guest at Samata Party workers convention at Lucknow.

Mr Mandal wrote to Mr Fernandes expressing his wish to share his time with party workers as a founder of Samata Party. "The party still believes in the policy, programme which were formulated under your stewardship," Mr Mandal wrote to Mr Fernandes, a MP from J D (U).

Mr Fernandes, who was conspicuously absent at the convention that saw majority of his followers joining Samata Party last month, seems unwilling to risk his Lok Sabha seat.

Samata Party General Secretary and Spokesman Shivkumar, the trusted aide of the former Defence Minister who was expelled from the JD (U) as General Secretary, said Mr Fernandes had not yet given his acceptance of the invitation but he had attended the conventions of other parties including Bharatiya Janata Party and Samajwadi Party in the past. "None can find fault with him if he spent time with Samata Party workers", Mr Kumar said.

UNI