Third Front will form the next government, says Chandrababu Naidu

A strong votary of the establishment of an alternative political force to Congress and BJP, TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu today forecast possibility of Third Front coming to power after the next month's Lok Sabha polls.

"I expect the repeat of 1996 itself now. We are happy to work together. There is a possibility of the Third Front forming the government", Naidu, who arrived here to attend the rally organised to launch the Front told reporters.

Following the collapse of the 13-day BJP government led by A B Vajpayee in 1996, H D Devegowda, who was heading Janata Dal government in Karnataka emerged as a dark horse for the Prime Minister's post.

Naidu, who snapped ties with BJP led NDA and fighting the coming polls in his state Andhra Pradesh, expressed happiness over BSP leader Mayawati deputing her party representative for tomorrow's rally being held at Dobbaspet in Tumkur district.

BSP General Secretary Satish Mishra is expected to attend the rally.

The former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister evaded reply to a query whether the Front would project anyone as its Prime Ministerial candidate but hastened to add, “"I am not in the race.”

Over 13 years after the political coup against N T Rama Rao, the TDP founder's son Nandamuri Balakrishna had on Tuesday come to the defence of his brother-in law Chandrababu Naidu saying he was no backstabber and his actions were only intended to save the party.

“Chandrababu did not stab my father in the back to usurp power, as it was made out. Rather, he only tried to save the TDP given the circumstances that prevailed at that point of time,” Balakrishna said during campaigning in Sri Potti Sriramulu Nellore district.

“Chandrababu had parted ways with N T Rama Rao only in the interest of the TDP.”