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HVP-D merges with Chautala's Lok Dal

The Haryana Vikas Party-Democratic president Kartar Singh Bhadana today announced the merger of his party with its ruling Indian National Lok Dal ally, headed by Chief Minister Om Parkash Chautala.

Making the announcement about the merger at a news conference at which Chautala was also present, Bhadana said 14 of the 17 HVP-D legislators had endorsed the decision, and said the merger was ''unconditional'' and was aimed at ''strengthening'' the Chautala government in the state. He said three party legislators -- Jagan Nath, Dharamvir Yadav and Karan Singh Dalal -- had not given their consent for the merger. All the remaining 14 HVP-D legislators were present at the press conference.

Welcoming the HVP-D legislators to the party-fold, Chautala said six independent legislators supporting his government had become associate members of the INLD, who were also present at the press conference. Chautala said he had not set any ''deadline'' for expansion of his ministry, and it would be made any time a need for it was felt, he added.

With the merger of the HVP-D into the INLD and six independent legislators becoming its associate members, the strength of the INLD has gone up from 22 to 42 in the 90-member assembly having an effective strength of 89. The INLD is also supported by the Bharatiya Janata Party, which has ten legislators, from outside.

UNI

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