Keeping the door ajar for a Third Front alliance between non-Congress and non-BJP parties, Samajwadi supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav on Sunday ruled out Trinamul Congress chief Mamata Banerjee’s call for a Federal Front “before” the Lok Sabha elections.
He said discussions on an alternative front will start only after the elections next year, when his party will take a call. To a question about Ms Banerjee’s call, Mr Yadav said: “The issue of a Third Front always comes up after the polls, not before.”
Mr Yadav, now on a “private” visit here, said there were several parties now calling for a Third Front, and they would be in the majority in the new Lok Sabha. He said: “It is true neither the Congress nor the BJP will get a majority alone in next year’s general election. The majority will go to those parties like the SP which are in favour of a Third Front. The issue can be discussed then only.”
Asked if he had discussed this with the West Bengal CM, Mr Yadav explained: “We are yet to have any political discussion with Mamataji. But our relations with her are good.” Hinting Ms Banerjee could also do her bit to improve ties, Mr Yadav smilingly took a potshot, saying she tended to get “angry” at times.