'Fernandes to campaign for Mulayam in UP'

New Delhi, Mar 14: Notwithstanding the poll alliance between theBJP, Apna Dal and the Janata Dal(U), NDA Convenor George Fernandes isfirm on lending support to the Mulayam Singh Yadav-led Samajwadi Partyin the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections.

Mr Fernandes' aide and Samata Party Spokesperson Shiv Kumar toldUNI here that his leader had already said ''on record'' that he wouldcampaign for the SP on the principle of ''supporting non-Congressism'.Mr Fernandes, however, was not available for comment.

Mr Fernandes has opposed imposition of President's rule in UttarPradesh and his stand had received the support of the TDP, BJD, AIADMK,as well as from Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. ''Only JD(U)President Sharad Yadav is an exception, demanding that UP be broughtunder central rule,'' he said.

Asked if Mr Fernandes's decision would affect NDA unity, Mr ShivKumar, who was expelled from the post of JD(U) General Secretary,claimed that the NDA was an alliance at the national level and did notexist in states. He also reminded that Mr Fernandes had attended theSamata Party convention in Lucknow last month. ''I can say it on recordthat George Sahab will campaign for the SP in Uttar Pradesh,'' he said.

Declining to comment on the BJP's alliance with the Apna Dal andJD(U), the Samata Spokesperson said he could not fathom ''how theseparties accepted the seats without having nominees to provide even acontest''.

Mr Fernandes, a JD(U) MP, has been causing discomfiture to theparty after he was sidelined by Mr Sharad Yadav and Mr Nitish Kumar.

Although most of his loyalists have shifted to the Samata Party,Mr Fernandes is yet to officially dissociate himself with them as itcould cost him his membership of the lower house..

The NDA convenor had recently embarrassed the BJP by saying thatformer Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had asked him not to''touch'' the Bofors file during the NDA regime.

He later did a volte face and claimed that he was misquoted.

Regarding his party's plans for the UP elections, the Samataspokesperson said two rounds of talks had taken place with theSamajwadi Party and his party had been allocated 10 seats.

Asked if the Samata would contest against JD(U) candates, he saidhe had no knowledge of the seats being fought by the party. ''All I cansay is that four of the 10 seats are in Muslim-dominated areas...wewill contest where we have chances of emerging victorious,'' he said.

About the Congress alignment with the Jan Morcha and the AjitSingh-led RLD, Mr Shiv Kumar said it was an alliance based on''falsehood'' and bereft of any principles and the people would rejectit.

UNI

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