Gowda: JD(S)-JD(U) merger not now

In fact, the process of coming together of parties of erstwhile Janata Parivar at the national level had started two years ago and the leaders had entrusted the responsibility to former UP chief minister Mr Mulayam Singh Yadav. Buoyed by the landslide victory of Janata Dal (United) during the recent Assembly polls in Bihar, leaders of both parties in Karnataka had initiated a dialogue in this effect. However, any merger move would cause confusion during polls to the Legislative Council on December 27. Mr Gowda said he had asked leaders of erstwhile Janata Parivar to concentrate on the Council.

Subsequently, the government would issue a notification for zilla panchayat and taluk panchayat elections in the first week of January. The need of the hour was to ensure the victory of Janata Parivar candidates in the Legislative Council polls. Till then, there would be no more talks on merger of Janata Dal (Secular) and Janata Dal (United), Mr. Gowda added. The former Prime Minister said that the merger issue would be discussed by party leaders at the national level soon. They must take Bahujan Samaj Party and left parties along with Janata Parivar.

The Assembly elections in Kerala are likely to be held after three months, and his party had already announced its ties with Left parties in that state. They need to face the Assembly elections by taking their allies along, Mr. Gowda said. Mr Gowda admitted that confusion between Janata Dal (Secular) and Janata Dal (United) over the symbol needs to be sorted out. “Janata Dal (Secular) general secretary Danish Ali has been holding talks with Janata Dal (United) leaders on taking back our old symbol of 'wheel.' I am ready for a dialogue with Left parties to have an alliance in the coming zilla panchayat and taluk panchayat elections but not with Janata Dal (United),” he said.