Laloo aide's JD 'patch-up dreams' have few takers

Union Food Minister Raghuvansh Prasad Singh asserted that the raging crisis in the Janata Dal will end by Wednesday night.

However, Singh's optimism will have few takers considering his mentor Laloo Prasad Yadav's decision to hold a parallel convention on July 5, when a new leader of his group will be elected.

Addressing the media at his New Delhi home, Singh said Laloo Yadav and JD working president Sharad Yadav will thrash out an amicable solution. In case the talks fail, the differences would be ironed out after Thursday's party presidential poll, he added.

Singh said he was touch with top JD leaders. Despite their differences, the leaders were unanimous that a split should be averted.

Sharad Yadav's supporters seem to disagree with this viewpoint. Ruling out a solution to the problem at this juncture, they said their leader should be elected to the top party job.

However, other United Front leaders contended that a split would be averted with Sharad Yadav becoming the new party chief and Laloo Yadav retaining his chief ministership. They said both the factions would support Prime Minister I K Gujral's government.