Supreme Court asks Dandavate, Reddy to oversee JD poll

The Supreme Court on Thursday asked Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Madhu Dandavate and Information and Broadcasting Minister Jaipal Reddy to oversee the Janata Dal presidential poll.

Both will choose their own teams to assist them in the task of completing the election by July 3, the court said.

A vacation bench comprising Justice S C Sen and Justice S P Kurudukar passed the order setting aside the June 17 judgment of a two-judge bench of the Delhi high court.

However, the prospects of holding the poll as per Supreme Court's directions appear bleak as senior party leaders feel that the situation is not conducive for such an exercise. Party sources said the atmosphere in the Dal has been vitiated by the vitriolic campaigns of JD president Laloo Prasad Yadav and working president Sharad Yadav during the last one month.

The formal response of Dandavate and Reddy to the Supreme Court's proposal will be known after they meet in New Delhi on Saturday.

Talking to mediapersons, Reddy parried all questions saying that he would be able to give his response only after consulting Dandavate.

Reddy thanked the Supreme Court for having reposed confidence in him in dealing with the situation.

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