New alliance is not for political power: Naidu

Chennai, June 18 (UNI) Telugu Desam Party (TDP) supremo and former Andhra Pradesh chief minister Chandrababu Naidu, one of the architects of the Third Front christened as United National Progressive Alliance (UNPA), today said the objective of the UNPA was to serve the interest of the common man.

Mr Naidu, who answered questions along with the other leaders of the Front AIADMK General Secretary J Jayalalithaa and Samajwadi Party(SP) leader Mulayam Singh Yadav, said ''we are not here for share in political power.'' The meeting was held to finalise the Front's stand on the Presidential candidate and decide on the new name for the eight-party alliance.

''This party is for nation's welfare and nation building,'' he said.

He added ''the UPA government was talking about 10 per cent growth rate. But the benefits have not reached the common man. The Prime Minister himself has said so.'' ''Many Centrally sponsored schemes are not reaching the common man and many farmers are committing suicide,'' he added.

Mr Naidu said the reforms have stabilised but the benefits of the reforms have not reached the common man.

''Our Front will cater to the interests of the common man,'' he added.

Asked whether the UNPA had worked out its policies, Mr Naidu said ''all these issues would be decided later. We will meet again in New Delhi after the Presidential elections,'' he added.

The leaders of the other parties n UNPA including MDMK leader Vaiko and Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) Brindaban Goswami were also present at the press meet.

UNI