INLD open to alliance with other parties in LS polls

Sirsa, Aug 30 (UNI) The Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) is ready to make alliance with any other party in Haryana to defeat the Congress in the coming Lok Sabha elections, INLD supremo Om Prakash Chautala said today.

''Our party is basically opposed to the Congress due to its anti-poor policies. We are ready to join hands with any party to defeat the Congress,'' Mr Chautala said while talking to reporters here.

Asked as to which party the INLD would ally with, the former Haryana chief minister said, ''No party is untouchable for us.'' Regarding the exit of the Samajwadi Party of Mr Mulayam Singh Yadav from the United National Progressive Alliance (UNPA), Mr Chautala admitted that it was a setback for the third front. But he expressed hope that other parties would join the front soon as most of them were disillusioned with the Congress and the BJP.

On the question of projecting Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati as UNPA's Prime Ministerial candidate, he said the matter would be decided by the elected representatives after the Lok Sabha elections.

Blaming the UPA government for the Amarnath land controversy, Mr Chautala said it had dealt separatists and extremists with soft gloves.

UNI XC MA BK1815