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Samata Party split averted

Jehanabad MP Arun Kumar, at whose residence the dissidents held a day-long meeting on Wednesday, said Fernandes had assured them there was no question of the Samata Party merging with the Janata Dal (United).

The dissidents were of the view that the merger would strengthen the hands of Rashtriya Janata Dal president Laloo Yadav and also they did not want JD(U) president Sharad Yadav in the party saying, "He will be a liability to us."

The dissidents had almost decided on parting ways if the merger, proposed by Union Minister Nitish Kumar, was effected.

On the second demand of the rebels that Raghunath Jha be allowed to continue as Bihar party chief, Arun Kumar quoted Fernandes as saying the matter would be amicably sorted out.

Dissidents had decided to hold a parallel convention at Patna on January five to elect the state chief ahead of Samata Party's national council meeting in Mysore next week.

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