The Hindu : National : Joint rallies of ‘third alternative’ in State capitals

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Jan 24, 2009
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

National

National

Joint rallies of ‘third alternative’ in State capitals

J. Balaji

H.D. Deve Gowda

NEW DELHI: The emerging ‘third alternative,’ an alliance of non-BJP and non-Congress front parties, comprising the Left, the Janata Dal (Secular), the All-India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, the Telugu Desam Party and like-minded parties would hold joint rallies in State capitals, JD(S) president H.D. Deve Gowda told journalists here on Friday.

Finalising details

Mr. Gowda said the details of the rallies would be worked out in February first week during a meeting of leaders of these parties here.

The “communal” policies of the BJP and “imperialist and anti-people” policies of the Congress would be exposed in the nation-wide programme. Even AIADMK general secretary Jayalalithaa was prepared to come over to discuss the issue. He welcomed all those parties which were opposed to the policies of the BJP and Congress to join the front.

To a question, the former Prime Minister denied reports that he was aspiring for the coveted post once more and made it clear that he was not in the race.

“I have seen what Delhi is...” Political polarisation would continue till the polls and in the present first phase, some parties had joined the alliance. There would be some more changes in the next phase.

He did not know about reports that the Biju Janata Dal and Shibu Soren’s Jharkhand Mukti Morcha too were interested to join the alliance. “All these things [inclusion of parties] are left to CPI(M) general secretary Prakash Karat,” he said.

Mr. Gowda denied that the poll tie-up of the “third alternative” parties with the Bahujan Samaj Party led by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati was a closed chapter. Though she had made it clear that seat-sharing with her party was not possible in her State and in some other States, she was very positive in fighting the BJP and the Congress fronts in cooperation with the emerging new alliance. “There is no doubt for us in this regard.”

About reports that Ms. Jayalalithaa might tilt towards the BJP post-poll, Mr. Gowda said there need not be any doubts on this.

Mr. Karat and CPI general secretary A.B. Bardhan have had detailed discussions with her and she had extended her full support to the front, he said.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

National