Time ripe for a Third Front: Naidu

Chennai, June 7 (UNI) TDP Supremo and former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu today said the time has come for the formation of a Third Front as a viable national alternative to the Congress and the BJP.

''It's the right time 'to form the front' as the national parties have been defeated in the recently held elections'', he told newspersons at the airport here.

The new front was announced yesterday in Hyderabad by eight regional parties comprising the TDP, AIADMK, Samajawadi Party, Asom Gana Parishad, Indian National Lok Dal, Jharkhand Vikas Morcha, MDMK and the Kerala Congress.

The eight parties, which met in Hyderabad, will meet again in Chennai. But the date of the meeting has not been finalised, he added.

''The front will be a viable national alternative to the Congress and BJP. The name of the new front and other details will be worked out soon,'' he said.

Mr Naidu said a decision on Presidential candidate would be taken at the next meeting in Chennai.

UNI