George doesn't rule out possibility of Mulayam joining NDA
NDA convenor did not rule out the possibility of the UP CM joining the alliance saying there are "no permanent friends or enemies in politics."
Notwithstanding denials by the Samajwadi Party, NDA convenor George Fernandes on Monday did not rule out the possibility of UP Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav joining the alliance saying there are "no permanent friends or enemies in politics."
He also dismissed talk on the successor issue in NDA maintaining that it had never been discussed and was not on the agenda.
"I have never said that Mulayam is coming to NDA... Mulayam and I have been friends and we have no dispute. But we have not discussed it (joining NDA)," the minister said accusing the media of giving a "political colour" each time they were seen together.
However, Fernandes said "in politics there are no permanent friends and enemies."
He was speaking to reporters after he launched the NDA website at his residence.
Asked if the NDA had any contingency plan on the issue of successor to Atal Bihari Vajpayee, which is much in the news, Fernandes said "NDA is not facing any crisis to have any contingency plan."
"In NDA there is no talk of successor, it's never been on our agenda," he said, brushing aside speculation that he was in the race. "There is not a ghost of a chance," he remarked.
Downplaying the slips made by the Prime Minister during the election campaign, Fernandes said, "the task Atalji was performing at this age, many others would not be able to do so. The PM must be supported for the great job that he is doing."