Gowda announces eight-member Third Front
Former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda on Monday extended an open invite to secular parties to join the Third Front spearheaded by him.He added that eight parties were already a part of the alliance touted as an alternative to the Congress led UPA and the NDA headed by the BJP.
“Anybody who believes in secular ideology can join the Third Front. Presently, we are an alliance of eight parties. This is the beginning and many may join till the elections. Also, some may join after the elections.”
Speaking of constituents, Gowda said CPM, CPI, JD(S), TDP, TRS, AIADMK, RSP and Forward Block were in the Third Front, which would be formally launched in Tumkur on March 12.
“It will be an alternative to both UPA and NDA, which have failed to protect the interests of people in the last 10 years,” said Gowda while blaming the alliances for maladministration.
He said the Third Front will issue a common manifesto at the national level, while the states would have localized manifestoes.
He said the formation would announce the future course of action on March 12 in presence of the representatives of the partners.
While informing that all advertising would be in the name of the Third Front, Gowda said issues like seat sharing would be decided later.
He added that though Mayawati had not been projected for the post of Prime Minister, he had no objections to it.
“CPM leader Prakash Karat has met her several times and tried to convince her to join the Third Front. She has decided to fight alone. It does not mean that she will not support the Third Front after elections. Personally, I have no objection for her claim to PM’s post,” he was quoted as saying.
