I will contest, but not as an Independent: Fernandes

August 22nd, 2009 NEW DELHI - Former Defence Minister and National Democratic Alliance (NDA) convener George Fernandes has said that as long as he is alive, he will continue to work for the removal of injustice and promote balanced development. In an article for the socialist journal "The Other Side", Fernandes said that he was aware that many were surprised by his decision to accept the offer of the Janata Dal (United) in Bihar to be nominated to the Rajya Sabha, after years of representation in the Lok Sabha.

May 16th, 2009 PATNA - Railway Minister Lalu Prasad was leading in both Saran and Patliputra Lok Sabha constituencies of Bihar while veteran socialist leader George Fernandes was trailing in Muzaffarpur as counting of votes for the state's 40 parliamentary seats was underway Saturday. Counting began simultaneously at 8 a.m.

April 22nd, 2009 PATNA - It's been touted as the last electoral battle of George Fernandes. And his supporters in Muzaffarpur constituency in Bihar are working hard to ensure the defeat of the Janata Dal-United (JD-U) candidate after the party denied a ticket to him.

April 21st, 2009 NEW DELHI - Veteran socialist leader and erstwhile president of the Janata Dal (United), George Fernandes, has complained bitterly about the incumbent party leadership for sidelining him and preventing him from voicing concerns about issues pertaining to Bihar in particular, and the nation overall. In an article appearing in "The Other Side", a journal of socialist thought and action, Fernandes says: "I was removed by a conspiratorial group in a broad attack against inner party democracy.

April 18th, 2009 PATNA - Veteran socialist George Fernandes is virtually begging for sympathy votes, telling voters in Muzaffarpur that he was near 'my end' and that this could be his last election. Denied ticket by the ruling Janata Dal-United (JD-U) on grounds of poor health, the 78-year-old politician who is contesting as an independent has been telling campaign rallies: 'Please support me.' 'Give me your vote and support for the last time as I am old and near my end.

April 3rd, 2009 PATNA - Janata Dal- United (JDU) leader and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Friday announced that the former Union Minister George Fernandes had been expelled from the party. Party's decision came days after Fernandes filed his nomination papers as an independent from Muzaffarpur parliamentary constituency.

April 1st, 2009 PATNA - A day after he said he was fit to contest the polls, veteran socialist leader George Fernandes Wednesday fell ill just hours before he was to file his nomination papers from a Bihar constituency. Fernandes, whose Janata Dal-United (JD-U) denied him a ticket to contest the Lok Sabha polls, Tuesday termed as 'lies' the rumours that he was unwell.

April 1st, 2009 PATNA - Veteran socialist leader George Fernandes, denied a ticket by the Janata Dal-United (JD-U), Wednesday filed his nomination papers as an independent candidate from Muzaffarpur constituency in Bihar, hours after he was reported to have taken ill. Fernandes, 78, was accompanied by JD-U MP Digvijay Singh, former Bihar chief minister Jagannath Mishra, former MP Ram Jeevan Singh and dozens of other socialist leaders.

March 27th, 2009 PATNA - Janata Dal-United (JD-U) veteran George Fernandes' decision to contest the polls as an independent from Muzaffarpur in Bihar after being denied a ticket is troubling many party members. Some say it could dampen the winning prospects of the party's candidate in the constituency, others feel letting the senior leader down could tarnish its image.

March 26th, 2009 MUZAFFARPUR - Senior Janata Dal- United (JDU) leader and former Union Minister George Fernandes has announced that he will contest the 2009 elections from the Muzaffarpur parliamentary constituency as an independent. He announced his decision to contest after consulting with party supporters here.

March 26th, 2009 PATNA - Janata Dal-United (JD-U) patriarch George Fernandes will contest from Muzaffarpur in Bihar as an independent after his party denied him the Lok Sabha ticket, the veteran leader's aides announced Thursday. He will file his nomination papers April 1.

March 25th, 2009 PATNA - Veteran socialist leader George Fernandes, whose Janata Dal-United (JD-U) has denied him a ticket to contest the Lok Sabha polls, Wednesday announced he was ready to run from his Muzaffarpur constituency and would formally announce this Thursday after holding discussions with his friends and supporters. 'Main taiyyar hun, main hun taiyyar (I am ready to contest)' Fernandes repeatedly said in chaste Hindi at a press conference he addressed in Muzaffarpur, about 70 km from here.

March 25th, 2009 PATNA - Janata Dal-United (JD-U) leader George Fernandes, denied the party ticket to contest the Lok Sabha polls, Tuesday left with hundreds of supporters to Muzaffarpur where he is likely to announce his candidature in defiance of the party leadership. Supporters of Fernandes were packed in nearly 100 vehicles as he left for Muzaffarpur, where he will hold road shows and meet friends over the next two days, an activist close to him said.

March 25th, 2009 PATNA - Senior Janata Dal-United (JD-U) leader George Fernandes, who was denied the party ticket to contest the Lok Sabha polls, Tuesday left along with hundreds of his supporters for Muzaffarpur from where he is expected to announce that he will contest, in defiance of the party leadership. Nearly 100 vehicles, mostly luxury cars, drove with Fernandes to Muzaffarpur, where he is slated to hold road shows and meet old socialist leaders over the next two days.

March 17th, 2009 PATNA - Hundreds of Janata Dal-United (JD-U) workers in Bihar are opposing the nomination of ailing leader George Fernandes from his Muzaffarpur constituency for the parliamentary polls in April and May. 'The JD-U will lose the Muzaffarpur seat if Fernandes contests the elections as he is unwell.