RANCHI, December 4: The Janata Dal's Jharkhand Regional Committee (JRC) has demanded that the forthcoming Jharkhand Area Autonomous Council (JAAC) polls be rescheduled and conducted along the lines of the Assembly elections.

In a joint letter to the Chief Election Commissioner, the JRC leaders demanded the rescheduling of the JAAC polls in view of the forthcoming festivals of the Muslim, Christian and tribal communities. They also demanded that the process of the JAAC polls be held on the pattern of the State Assembly elections. The letter was signed by the working president of the Janata Dal's Jharkhand Regional Committee, Benjamin Murmu, its chief general secretary, Gautam Sagar Rana, its vice-president, Lalchand Mahato and general secretary, Abutalib Ansari.

Rana announced the setting up of a five-member panel to negotiate electoral alliances in view of the JAAC polls likely in January. "Though several poltical parties like Jharkhand People's Party and the Jharkhand Co-Ordination Committee are in touch with us we are yet to take a final decision on the subject," he said.

The five-member panel comprises, apart from Rana, Inder Singh Namdhari, Ansari, Murmu and Girivar Pandey.

The issue was expected to be finalised by Dec 13, Rana added.

The committee of the JD also sought dismissal of the Rabri Devi government and imposition of President's Rule in Bihar alleging "complete failure" on the law and order front.

Rana announced his party's support to the Left Democratic Front sponsored "Bihar bandh" tomorrow.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.