New Delhi, July 02: Samata Party will explore the possibility of forging understanding with non-BJP NDA constituents for the coming assembly elections in five states in case BJP does not have any electoral tie up with it. "We want to minimise split in NDA votes. If there is no understanding with BJP, we will try to work out some arrangements with other NDA parties for the assembly elections in Delhi, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Mizoram," Samata Party spokesman Shiv Kumar told today.
He said the matter would figure prominently at the party's two-day national executive and council meeting here on July 13 and 14.
Kumar indicated Samata Party would try to have local level electoral understanding in these states with NDA constituents like Janata Dal (United) and Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) and even with BSP which was heading a coalition government with BJP in Uttar Pradesh.
The meeting would also review the party's preparations for the Lok Sabha elections next year, he said.
The national council, which will be held after its last meeting at Rajkot in Gujarat a year ago, will also elect the party president. According to insiders, Defence Minister George Fernandes is likely to be re-elected as party chief.
Kumar said after the completion of organisational elections by most of the states, the stage was ready for the national council meet.
Besides taking up organisational matters, the two-day meeting will adopt resolutions on the present economic situation in the country and on the government's foreign policy, particularly the issue of sending troops to Iraq.

Bureau Report