Fernandes' support to SP a breach of discipline: JD(U)

The reaction comes in response to Fernandes' remark that he could campaign for the Samajwadi Party in the UP Assembly elections.

JD(U) president Sharad Yadav on Friday declined to comment upon party leader and NDA convenor George Fernandes' remark that he could campaign for Mulayam Singh Yadav's Samajwadi Party (SP) in the UP Assembly elections.

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However, JD(U) spokesman Shambhu Srivastav indicated that if Fernandes made any such move, it would be treated as his opposition to the party's official line, amounting to a breach of discipline.

"The national executive of JD(U) has decided to have an alliance with Apna Dal and oppose Mulayam Singh Government in UP elections. This is the official line of the party," he stated in response to reports about Fernandes' comment after a meeting with senior BJP leader LK Advani.

According to sources, the party leadership feels that if he goes ahead with his threat, Fernandes would be more of a liability to the BJP which had high stakes in the state elections, rather than the JD(U) which had limited prospects in the poll.

Therefore, they are of the opinion that it was upto the BJP leaders to persuade him not to campaign for SP since he is the convenor of the saffron party-led NDA.