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Mulayam sees post-poll realignment

Former defence minister and Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav today predicted major post-poll realignment and said a only third front will be able to form the next government at the Centre.

Neither the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance nor the Congress will be able to form the government, he said during an informal chat in Bombay. Yadav, who was accompanied by SP spokesperson and general-secretary Amar Singh met party workers and candidates and addressed a series of election meetings in this metropolis.

He said the endeavour of the SP will be to muster support from like-minded secular parties and form the third front which will form the next government at the Centre. The BJP and allies will be routed in the ensuing elections, he said, adding that the Congress will also not be able to form a government.

"They (the NDA) is only interested in grabbing power. However, their designs will be foiled by the voters this time," he said and dismissed statements of rival parties that the SP is a small party. "In the dissolved Lok Sabha we had an appreciable number of candidates and ranked fourth in terms of number of MPs."

When it was pointed out that his ally, the Nationalist Congress Party led by former defence minister Sharad Pawar has said that they may think of Congress minus Sonia , he said, "I go by Pawar's manifesto. He has said his party will maintain equidistance from the Congress and the BJP. The SP is a part of the Progressive Democratic Front in Maharashtra which is led by the NCP president."

Yadav, who is contesting from two Lok Sabha constituencies from Uttar Pradesh, Sambhal and Kannor, further said the Samajwadi Party is all poised to stage a win in up. On asking whether BSP leader Mayawati's statement that they will provide reservation for Muslims will affect his party's performance, he said, "Show me if she has said it in her manifesto."

He also denied reports and statement of political leaders that the SP will go along with the BJP. "It cannot happen. We will never do so. There is no question of such a stand," he said, adding that the communal forces will be finished in the next elections by the voters. He also blamed the BJP for the entire Kargil conflict.

Yadav and Singh met Bombay SP president Abu Asim Azmi and party candidates, including the two Lok Sabha candidates -- Aziz Lalani and Majeed Memon. The SP has fielded two Lok Sabha candidates and 15 candidates for the assembly in Maharashtra for the ensuing twin polls.

UNI

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