BJD, SAD will join third front in making, claims TDP

Varanasi, Apr 20 (UNI) A Telugu Desam Party (TDP) leader today claimed that NDA partners Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) will join the third front once it comes into existence after the Uttar Pradesh assembly polls.

Both Navin Patnaik-led BJD presently ruling Orissa in alliance with BJP and Prakash Singh Badal's (SAD-Badal) voted to power in Punjab recently will join the third front which will come into existence after the UP poll, TDP secretary and former chairman of Andhra Pradesh Hastshilpa Nigam T V R Shastri claimed here.

Addressing a news conference in support of ruling Samajwadi Party candidate from Varanasi (South) seat Dilip Dey, Mr Shastri said once the UP poll is over, the third front comprising SP, AIADMK, TDP, AGP, INLD, CPI(M) and CPI will come into existence. Once the front is formed, BJP and SAD will leave the NDA to join it, he added.

At least seven meetings have been held between various components of the proposed third front and the final touche will be provided to the efforts at a meeting in Allahabad on April 23 to be attended among other by former Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandra Babu Naidu and SP supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav.

Appealing the electorate to vote for Mr Yadav, Mr Shastri termed the UP CM as 'Maulana Mulayam Singh' for his unflinching efforts for safegaurding the interests of minorities.

''Mulayam is not a state level leader, but is the leader of nation,'' Mr Shastri noted.

UNI