TDP, SP initiate resurrection of Third Front

New Delhi, Apr 6 (UNI) The Samjwadi Party and the Telegu Desam Party (TDP) today came forward to resurrect the elusive Third Front with the help of the AIADMK, the Asom Gan Parishad and the National Conference and expressed confidence that the Left parties would also join in for providing a national alternative to the Congress and the BJP.

Samajwadi Party president and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav and TDP chief and former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu said the 'anti-people'' policies of the UPA government were creating conditions conducive to the emergence of a national alternative.

''The Left parties have always supported any such moves because these are our natural allies,'' said the two leaders, addressing a joint press conference here.

Asked whether such a Front would become a reality without any assurance from the Left, Mr Yadav quipped, ''Wait for the results of assembly elections in five states where the Congress is going to be routed. Things would become crystal clear after the poll results.'' He also said the Left had always supported ''us'' on anti-people policies of the Congress and the BJP.

The two leaders, howerver, preferred not to use the term Third Front for their new-found bonhomie. ''The SP and the TDP are in close coordination and we are trying to create an alternative to oppose the UPA government in Parliament,'' said Mr Naidu.

Mr Yadav and Mr Naidu, who will be going to Asom tomorrow to campaign in favour of the AGP candidates, pointed out that the common people were gradually losing their faith and confidence in national parties and time was opportune for strong regional parties to come together on a common platform to provide an alternative.

He said the TDP and the SP were working with the NC, the AIADMK and the AGP ''with a clear-cut agenda for providing a national alternative'' and the support to the AGP in the Asom polls was a step in that direction.

Both Mr Naidu and Mr Yadav made a trenchant attack on the UPA government's domestic and foreign policies, saying these had proved disastrous for the people and also affected the country's relations with friendly countries.

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