Can Third Front become a reality in Indian political map?

At a time when Indian political scenario is at doldrums, with ruling Congress-led UPA government facing several cases of corruption against it and BJP-led NDA not coming out as a strong and constructive opposition, regional parties are once again coming together to form the Third Front.

Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Mulayam Singh Yadav on Wednesday, Sept 12 has once again made a strong case for coming together of members of Third Front, to thwart attempts of both UPA and NDA to form the next government at the Centre. Mulayam pitched for a non-UPA, non-NDA Third Front to come together to form the next government at the centre. He warned both UPA and NDA to remain prepared as both the major coalition parties might find it hard to get support from regional and smaller parties.

"The UPA is to be blamed for the economic turmoil in the country. And BJP as a party can never grow now. So now the Samajwadi Party has to take larger responsibility and take the nation forward," said Mulayam at his party's national executive in Kolkata.

"Samajwadi Party has to come up to the expectations of the people. We have to fulfill our commitments to the people. I appeal to all the party leaders to fulfill the promises made in the party's election manifesto," added SP chief.

Mulayam strongly criticised UPA government for failing to rein in corruption as scams have become norm of the day. Targeting the Congress-led UPA over coal block allocations and corruption, the SP chief said that Congress's reputation has been tarnished throughout the country due to a number of scams.

Mulayam's latest jibe against UPA and NDA and rekindling the hope for Third Front, comprising all leading regional parties, is targeted at 2014 Lok Sabha elections.

Although SP is giving outside support to Congress-led UPA government at the centre, but with their falling popularity rate, Mulayam's latest stunt is not surprising. Analysts are seeing Mulayam's tirade against UPA and NDA as his growing ambition to occupy the prime minister's chair at centre. After tasting huge success at Feb-Mar 2012 Uttar Pradesh assembly election, Mulayam's ambition of having a greater say at the centre has grown immensely.

It was with the idea of getting a plump portfolio at the centre that Mulayam decided to hand over the chair of Chief Ministership to his son Akhilesh Yadav, after winning an absolute majority in the assembly election.

Mulayam reiterated that SP is not confined to Uttar Pradesh and wanted to increase its base across the country. He said that he was all set to get in touch with all non-UPA, non-NDA parties.

"We need to make the Samajwadi Party strong in other parts of the country," said Mulayam.

Earlier, Mulayam has also heaped praises on TMC supremo and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to woo her. SP chief said that she was hard working and a fighter, though also stubborn.

"She has many qualities in her as a result of which she has become the chief minister today," he added. TMC is a part of UPA government.