George Fernandes, who was handed a humiliating defeat by Sharad Yadav in the JD (U) presidential election, has been asked to revive the Samata Party by party President PK Sinha.
The Samata Party has retained its identity even after the merger of a large section with the JD (U) in 2003.
"During his two day-stay in Patna, Fernandes called on me and many other old Samata leaders. During the meeting we urged him to revive the Samata Party," Sinha said on Friday.
At the request of Fernandes, he would go to Delhi on Saturday "for detailed talks" on the future course of action, Sinha said.
Sinha, once a close confidante of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar who later fell out with him, said "the manner in which Nitish and his group heaped humiliation on Fernandes by removing him from the post of party national president after systematically targeting leaders like me who were once close to him, means there is no point staying in their company.
"We requested Fernandes to revive the original Samata Party and bring together committed socialists who either left the party or were kicked out," Sinha said.
{{/usCountry}}"We requested Fernandes to revive the original Samata Party and bring together committed socialists who either left the party or were kicked out," Sinha said.
{{/usCountry}}The Samata party chief said he expected the Election Commission to give a favourable judgement on Fernandes' petition challenging the JD (U) presidential poll which saw the victory of Sharad Yadav.
Fernandes' refusal to attend the JD (U) National Council meeting despite being in Patna after turning down the request of Nitish Kumar indicated his growing "disenchantment" with the state of affairs in the party, he said.