LJP favours third front in Punjab

Jalandhar, Dec 6 (UNI) The Lok Janshakti Party will take decision on its strategy and alliance with friendly parties for the assembly elections in four states of Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Uttaranchal and Manipur at its national executive meeting on December 25 and 26 in New Delhi.

Talking to reporters here today, party President and Union Chemical Minister Ram Vilas Paswan said that the party would keep all options open and take a proper decision, keeping in view ground realities prevailing in the political scenario in these states where elections would be held early next year.

Mr Paswan said that he had held meetings and consultations with leaders of several friendly parties including former Prime Minister V P Singh.

For Punjab, the party did certainly favour emergence of a third front to provide people a viable alternative of the ruling Congress and opposition Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD). Several leaders including Mr V P Singh, Communist parties leaders and local and regional parties of the state were also interested in forging a third front.

However, his party would take initiative for joining such front or alliance only if the front appeared to be really viable.

He said that if all groups opted to unite only then his party would join in, otherwise it would go to polls all alone.

Mr Paswan arrived here last night. He presided over the meeting of the aprty district presidents and state executive committee today.

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