JD(U) to separate from BJP in Gujarat, may ally with BSP

New Delhi, Sep 24 (UNI) The Janata Dal (United) would fight the assembly polls in Gujarat not as partner of NDA but separately from BJP and may go for seat-sharing arrangement with Bahujan Samaj Party, Janata Dal (United) President Sharad Yadav said here today.

''We had contested the last assembly elections also separately.

So we will do that again this time. Moreover, we (BJP and JD(U) are together at centre and a few states but at others we have our separate ways,'' Mr Yadav said.

Asked whether the JD(U) was going for seat sharing with the BSP as Ms Mayawati has already indicated that her party may consider such an alliance if the Janata Dal (U) approached it, Mr Yadav said that the alliance may happen as his party had got the maximum percentage of votes after BJP and the Congress.

''The BSP is not within the UPA nor NDA, so we can have an alliance with it. We will not have any seat sharing with any UPA partner,'' he said.

However, a formal decision regarding the alliance would be taken up only at the two-day National Executive of the JD(U) beginning here from October 6. The Executive would take the decision after taking views from the state unit of Gujarat, he pointed out.

The National Executive would also decide about the assemly elections and the possibile Parliamentary polls. The Executive would deliberate on the prevailing political situation, bring out an Economic resolution. It would also decide about the organisational matters, he said.

Asked about the shrinking role of former party President and NDA convenor George Fernandes, Mr Yadav said it was happening because of Mr Fernandes' frail health and also his not taking much interest in the party affairs. ''From my side, there is no difference of opinion. In fact after becoming the JD(U) President, I had said in the beginning itself that Mr Fernandes will remain as NDA convenor.'' UNI