JD(S) closely working with grand alliance: Danish Ali

Bengaluru: The merger of the Janata Parivar at the national level and the intolerance issue dominated discussions at the one-day national executive of JD(S) in the city on Thursday.

While JD(S) national general secretary Mr Danish Ali said that the party was working closely with the “grand alliance” that swept the elections in Bihar, former Prime Minister Mr H.D. Deve Gowda said that polarization of the Janata Parivar might happen again during elections to the Uttar Pradesh Assembly.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Mr Ali said that the meeting had taken serious note of growing intolerance in the country from the Dadri incident to killing of some writers including M.M. Kalburgi. Besides, there have been threats to rationalists and secular writers but the Prime Minister is maintaining a studious silence on the issue.

Mr Ali also said his party was working closely with the grand alliance of JD(U) and RJD in Bihar and efforts would be made to bring erstwhile Janata Parivar factions together.

The efforts are likely to gain momentum during the elections to the Uttar Pradesh Assembly, where two secular parties -- SP and BSP have a strong presence. “We cannot say how and when the process will begin but it will begin soon,” he said.

A demand was made at the national executive to lead a farmers’ rally to Delhi, on the lines of one held in 2008. “I had led that farmer movement. Final shape will be given to the proposed rally after the meeting,” he said.

Former CM H.D. Kumaraswamy submitted a farmer agenda draft during the national executive, which is likely to be passed with certain amendments.

Meanwhile, the JD(S) decided to donate Rs 1 crore worth relief material to the victims of the Chennai rain havoc.

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