Need for a third front to meet people's aspirations:SP

Bhubaneswar, Sep 21 (UNI) The UPA and NDA have lost their credibility and a third front could meet the aspirations of the people, Samajwadi Party (SP) national executive member and MP Braja Bhushan Tewari said here today.

Mr Tiwari said though the idea had not yet taken concrete shape and with the political situation in a 'fluid' state, he hoped it would soon materialise.

The Rajya Sabha member said a beginning had already been made with the formation of the United National Progressive Alliance(UNPA) during the Vice-Presidential elections.

The SP along with the Telugu Desam, Assam Gana Parishad and Bharatiya Lok Dal had raised many issues inside and outside Parliament. The party, he said, also had good relations with leaders of the Left conglomerate.

The SP leader said the country was passing through a difficult stage and the way the political situation was developing, ''we believe the compulsion of the situation will force the non-Congress and non-BJP forces to align with each other to form a third front''.

He said the policy followed by the UPA government was 'harmful' to the country's interest. The SP as well as all opposition parties were opposed to the nuclear deal as it would 'compromise' the country's sovereignty and its non-aligned policy followed since independence.

The government was neglecting the agriculture sector and production was falling, he remarked.

''The agriculture minister is showing more interest in cricket than in agriculture. Prices of essential commodities are rising and the government has failed to curb it,'' he said.

The Left parties, supporting the government were taking their own stand on every issue to maintain their identity, he added.

''On the other hand the NDA also lost its relevance as it is trying to make issues out of non-issues and is beset with inner conflicts,'' he observed.

Under these circumstances, only a third front could meet the aspirations of the people, he said.

UNI