Chandra Shekhar's election managers try to end fight of succession

Lucknow, Aug 10 (UNI) The election managers and supporters of late prime minister Chandra Shekhar are holding a series of panchayats to end the fight of succession between his two sons.

The recent announcement of the Election Commission to postpone the Lok Sabha byelection to the Ballia seat following floods has helped the 'Young Turk's' supporters to iron out the differences between Pankaj Shekhar and his younger sibling Neeraj Shekhar.

The younger son, Neeraj Shekhar, has the backing of most political parties, but the elder son Pankaj too has announced his intention to contest from the Ballia Parliamentary seat.

According to leaders of the Samajwadi Janta Party (SJP), founded by Chandra Shekhar, the tussle between the two brothers broke out on the day of 'Shanti Path' held at Ibrahimpur Patti village of Ballia on July 20. Both of them announced their intentions to contest.

Neeraj has the blessings of former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad. Pankaj, on the other hand, may join the Congress in case no party backs his candidature.

Neeraj looked after election campaigns of Chandra Shekhar in the last five elections, and had accompanied him during the Bharat Yatra.

''It would not be appropriate for his sons to contest against each other...Chandra Shekharji's followers and election managers are holding panchayats to end the differences,'' said a Congress general secretary.

So far Congress has refrained to comment on the bypolls. The party has also not named any candidate.

''If the two sons contest against each other, they will neither get the sympathy vote nor will be able to fight BSP candidate Vinay Tiwari,'' said a Chandra Shekhar supporter. Political leaders also admitted that both his sons lack their father's charisma.

Vinay Tiwari is son of mafia-turned politician and former MLA Hari Shanker Tiwari.

The principal Opposition Samajwadi Party too is in favour of thrashing out differences between Pankaj and Neeraj. ''We may not offer our support if the two decide to contest,'' said a SP leader.

Barring the 1984 general elections, Chandra Shekhar had regularly won from Ballia seat since 1971. The SP, which did not field candidate against Chandra Shekhar, is indecisive this time due to the tussle. Meanwhile, the BJP President Rajnath SIngh is known to have given his ''blessings'' to the younger brother.

UNI