Leader ought to be one who understands poor: Akhilesh Yadav

Says there is an opportunity for a third force in next Lok Sabha elections

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav said that while the industry bodies representing the major industries in the country have selected their own Prime Minister candidates, only the one who understands the farmers, poor people and the youth could be the leader.

Reiterating his party's stand on the third front, the Samajwadi Party (SP) leader said that there is an opportunity for a third force in the next Lok Sabha elections.

"The CII (Confederation of Indian Industry) and Ficci (Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry) has made their 'Jodi' with their own leaders. But only a person who can understand the farmers, poor people and the youth can be a leader," he said.

He was speaking to the press after inaugurating the Vanniyar Youth Cultural Festival 2013, organised by the regional political party Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK).

It may be noted that the CII has organised a high profile meeting with Rahul Gandhi whereas Ficci later hosted a programme where Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi made his appearance, triggering dicussions in the industry about the vision of both the leaders on the future of India.

Answering to a querry on the party's stand on a third front, Yadav said, "Yes there should be a third force. We, Samajwadi Party, believe that there should be a third force at the National level."

The Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has not fulfilled their promises and their policies has not been pro-poor. There is an opportunity for anti-congress, anti-BJP parties to join as a third front, he added.

It may be noted that last week, Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav has also mooted the idea of a third front, critisising both Congress and the BJP.

Answering another querry of the reporters here, the UP Chief Minister said that the UPA has no right to run the government, as it did noting to curb inflation. The unemployment is increasing and the boarder issues are also growing. The Congress has failed to face these challenges, he added.

The Chief Minister, who said that the PMK and Samajwadi Party supports each other, is meeting the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, J Jayalalithaa today.