Patna, Sep 9 (IANS) Upset over being sidelined, senior Janata Dal-United (JD-U) leader George Fernandes is holding talks with rebel party leaders to chalk out a strategy against party president Sharad Yadav and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.

The former defence minister, who has been camping in Bihar for the past few days, held meetings with party dissidents at the house of former JD-U MP Arun Kumar in Patna Saturday.

A day after branding Yadav and Nitish Kumar "autocratic" for their working style in the party as well as in the functioning of the state government, Fernandes made his plans clear about garnering support within the party against the duo.

Fernandes, the high profile leader in the party until not so long ago, suffered a humiliating defeat in the JD-U elections earlier this year when Yadav was chosen president.

A party leader close to him said: "He will chalk out a strategy after discussing with supporters - to either take the battle to the streets or keep it within the party."

Fernandes has already denied that he would quit the JD-U. "I built this party from the ground up and I have no intention of leaving it." He refuted media speculation about reviving the old Samata Party or floating a new outfit.

A senior JD-U leader associated with Fernandes since the late 70s said the leader has been trying hard to garner support within the party, particularly of those unhappy with Yadav and Nitish Kumar. "He will succeed in his attempt as those unhappy with the two leaders are increasing in number day by day," he said.

Fernandes, along with others, could also announce a non-political front on Oct 11 here on the occasion of the birth anniversary celebrations of socialist leader Jayprakash Narayan.

Two days ago, Fernandes hit out against Nitish Kumar by saying that nothing had changed in the state since the party came to power 10 months ago, and corruption was rampant.

Directly targeting Nitish Kumar and his deputy Sushil Kumar Modi, he said the government was being run by only two people and corruption and red tape had become the order of the day.