JD(U) meets to discuss future of ties with BJP

Top leadership of JD(U), a crucial ally of BJP, met here today for a conclave amid voices within the party that Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi was not acceptable to them as NDA's Prime Ministerial candidate.

During the two-day National Executive, the JD(U) is expected to decide on the future of ties with BJP in view of demands within BJP for projection of Modi as the Prime Ministerial nominee.

As the meeting began, party General Secretary K C Tyagi said JD(U) would not press the BJP to announce its decision on the Prime Ministerial issue and would give time to to the ally to decide on the issue.

"Yes, we can give time. All these are under discussion and we will take a final call tomorrow," he said.

There is a view in JD (U) that Modi not a consensus candidate even within the BJP, hence the party should be given time to set its house in order.

While the JD(U) is willing to give BJP time to decide, its MP Sabir Ali indicated the mood when he said, "Narendra Modi is not at all acceptable."

Some leaders from the party said as there is still time for Lok Sabha elections, it will not be correct to force another party to declare Prime Ministerial candidate at this juncture.

Party leader Shivanand Tiwari said in view of the coming Lok Sabha polls, the party will discuss the current political situation and evolve a consensus on its strategy.

"We will discuss the current political scenario. People will put forth their views and what the party should do in current political situation. We will try and evolve a consensus," he said.

He agreed with BJP chief Rajnath Singh that JD (U) had an old association with the BJP. "Rajnath Singh is right. Our association with BJP is very old. We are together since 1995," he said.