'Fernandes to campaign for Mulayam in UP' : Samata Party
New Delhi, Mar 14 (UNI) Notwithstanding the poll alliance between the BJP, Apna Dal and the Janata Dal(U), NDA Convenor George Fernandes is firm on lending support to the Mulayam Singh Yadav-led Samajwadi Party in the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections.
Mr Fernandes' aide and Samata Party Spokesperson Shiv Kumar told UNI here that his leader had already said ''on record'' that he would campaign 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 Uttar Pradesh 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 brought under central rule,'' he said.
Asked if Mr Fernandes's decision would affect NDA unity, Mr Shiv Kumar, who was expelled from the post of JD(U) General Secretary, claimed that the NDA was an alliance at the national level and did not exist in states. He also reminded that Mr Fernandes had attended the Samata Party convention in Lucknow last month. ''I can say it on record that George Sahab will campaign for the SP in Uttar Pradesh,'' he said.
Declining to comment on the BJP's alliance with the Apna Dal and JD(U), the Samata Spokesperson said he could not fathom ''how these parties accepted the seats without having nominees to provide even a contest''.
Mr Fernandes, a JD(U) MP, has been causing discomfiture to the party 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 it could cost him his membership of the lower house..
The NDA convenor had recently embarrassed the BJP by saying that former 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 Samata spokesperson said two rounds of talks had taken place with the Samajwadi Party and his party had been allocated 10 seats.
Asked if the Samata would contest against JD(U) candates, he said he had no knowledge of the seats being fought by the party. ''All I can say is that four of the 10 seats are in Muslim-dominated areas...we will contest where we have chances of emerging victorious,'' he said.
About the Congress alignment with the Jan Morcha and the Ajit Singh-led RLD, Mr Shiv Kumar said it was an alliance based on ''falsehood'' and bereft of any principles and the people would reject it.
UNI