Patna: With no reconciliation in sight, the stage on Monday appeared set for a contest between incumbent JD(U) President George Fernandes and party's central parliamentary board Chairman Sharad Yadav on Tuesday for its presidentship.
"Though the exact picture will emerge after the deadline for withdrawal of nomination, which expires at 6 pm on Monday, the chances of averting a contest appear remote at this moment," JD(U) national spokesman Shambhu Shrivastwa said.
Seven sets of nominations have been filed on behalf of Sharad Yadav while four have been submitted in favour of Fernandes.
If voting takes place at the national council meeting of the party, which begins on Tuesday, it would be for the first time that there will be a contest for the party's top post.
Fernandes has been heading the party since the formation of the Samata Party in 1994 when 14 MPs of undivided Janata Dal had parted company with the organisation headed by Sharad Yadav, who had the backing of Bihar strongman Lalu Prasad at that time.
However, Sharad Yadav's relations with Lalu soured soon and the latter formed RJD in 1996.
When Samata Party merged with JD(U) in 2003, Fernandes was made its president while Sharad Yadav was given responsibility of the party's Parliamentary Board.
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