Sangma launches NPP in Chhattisgarh as part of 'Third Front'

National People's Party (NPP) Chief P A Sangma formally launched his party here today and stressed that the 'Third Front' will play a key role in the assembly polls due by the year-end in the tribal-dominated state of Chhattisgarh.
He said that the Third Front will contest the upcoming Chhattisgarh assembly elections in all 90 seats.
"Both BJP and Congress have disappointed the people of the state. We are making efforts to give people a non-BJP and non-Congress option in the coming elections," former Lok Sabha Speaker Sangma told reporters here.
"The Third front will play a key role in the forthcoming elections. Third Front candidates will be fielded in all ninety seats," he said.

Nearly a dozen political parties including the NPP have already formed a 'Third Front' in the state which has been ruled by the BJP since 2003.
Other key constituents of the 'Third Front' are Chhattisgarh Swabhiman Manch, CPI, CPI (M), Rashtriya Gondwana Gantantra Party, Chhattisgarh Mukti Morcha and Janata Dal-United.

However, he did not reveal how many seats the NPP would contest.
"Sharing of seats between allies to fight election has not been decided yet. Very soon, an all-party meeting will be held to chalk out a common minimum programme," he said.
When asked if the NPP will support BJP in the state, Sangma said, "The NPP has already announced its policy to support NDA at the national level, but we will not support it for the state elections," he said, adding that nobody can predict post-poll situations.