Mayawati continues to be third alternative choice for PM

New Delhi, Aug 5 (UNI) The conglomerate of ten secular parties will evolve into a real third alternative which might throw up BSP supremo Mayawati as the Prime Minister's candidate after the next general elections, CPI General Secretary A B Bardhan said today.

''This political combination comprising the four Left parties, the BSP, constituents of the UNPA, JD(S), TRS and the AGP represents the socially and economically most exploited section of the country,'' Mr Bardhan told newspersons at the conclusion of the CPI's three-day National Council meeting here. CPI Deputy General Secretary S Sudhakar Reddy and National Secretary D Raja and senior leader Atul Kumar Anjan were present.

Mr Bardhan's statement came when asked about the coming together of the SP, LJP and the RJD in defence of the SP General Secretary Amar Singh caught in the controversy relating to the 'cash-for-vote' sting operation.

Asked about the leader of the third alternative, the CPI veteran said, ''it will have a natural leader- naturally, the leader of the biggest party.'' When prodded about Ms Mayawati, he said she is a fit candidate for the PM's post and indeed better than many others and the Prime Minister-in-waiting (L K Advani).

In response to a query whether the coming together of the SP, LJP and RJD after all most ten years posed a political threat to the third alternative, Mr Bardhan quipped, ''it is no problem for us. It might pose a problem for UPA.'' UNI KSA SW RP NS1724