Third Front only alternative for development: Buddhadeb

Kolkata, May 09 (UNI) West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee today said a Third Front was the only alternative to help accelerate overall development of the country.

Addressing a meet-the-press programme at the Kolkata Press Club here, the Chief Minister said the Leftists were in favour of forming a Third Front, but supporting the present UPA government at the Centre under political compulsions.

Mr Bhattacharjee alleged that the Manmohan Singh government had failed on the economic front in all respects, but was acceptable to the Leftists as it was ''more secular'' than the BJP-led NDA.

''The Prime Minister has failed to control inflation and price rise of essential commodities throughout the country which is a matter of grave concern,'' he said.

He alleged that the UPA government had failed to implement policies in all sectors, which were earlier promised by them in their election manifesto.

He said as a result, the BJP, Trinamool Congress and other Opposition parties were taking advantage of the situation and making the political scenario in the country complex.

After the last General Elections in the country, the Left Front had the option either to support the Congress-led UPA or the BJP-led NDA, he said.

The Chief Minister opined that though the BJP and RSS were two sides of the same coin, the Leftists chose to form an alliance with the Congress as it was ''more secular'' despite there being political differences between the two.

UNI AKM-ADG DPM SS/KLC1447