Sharad takes over from ‘ill’ George as NDA convenor

Janata Dal (United) chief Sharad Yadav was named acting convener of the NDA in view of the deteriorating health of the current convenor, George Fernandes, reports Shekhar Iyer.

Janata Dal (United) chief Sharad Yadav was on Sunday named acting convener of the NDA in view of the deteriorating health of the current convenor, George Fernandes.

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The move was seen as a BJP bid to cement ties with the JD-U and strengthen the NDA before the Lok Sabha polls in the wake of mixed results in the recent assembly elections.

Leader of Opposition LK Advani made the announcement, saying the decision to nominate Yadav was taken after consultations with various NDA alliance partners. Advani spoke to Fernandes, while Jaswant Singh called on him before the announcement was made.

Though Fernandes had lost to Yadav in the race to be the JD-U chief, senior BJP leaders had let him continue as the NDA convenor. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, too, did not want him to be replaced.

With his health deteriorating , Advani took up the issue with Fernandes, who did not object to Yadav being made the acting convenor, BJP officials said.

In a statement, Advani said: “Of late, he (Fernandes) has not been keeping good health. Accordingly, I have consulted all the alliance parties of the NDA and it has been decided to appoint Yadav. I am sure with his profound experience, the NDA would get added strength after his appointment as the acting convenor.”