Third Front govt possible with Congress support: Paswan

Image
Press Trust of India New Delhi
Last Updated : Nov 26 2013 | 3:46 PM IST
A Third Front government after the next Lok Sabha polls will be possible only with the support of Congress, Lok Janshakti Party chief Ram Vilas Paswan has said.
"Since the alliance would have to be secular, the Third Front can't take BJP's support and it will have to take Congress' support. That is why I have stated the main issue is Congress, and LJP wants to maintain an alliance with Congress," Paswan told PTI in an interview.
With RJD supremo Lalu Prasad landing in jail in connection with the Fodder Scam, Paswan said there was a need for serious discussion among the current UPA allies to decide on the future course ahead of the 2014 elections.
He said LJP is interested in staying in alliance with Congress but the onus is on the ruling party to decide on their partners.
"We want our alliance with Congress to stay, but they have to decide on the future course of the alliance. At the moment, we are together with RJD but now that Lalu ji is in jail, and election time is nearing, there is a need for a serious discussion among the parties," Paswan said.
Once an ally of the BJP-led NDA front, Paswan, a Rajya Sabha MP, claimed it was the demolition of the Babri Masjid which went against the party's prospects.
"An issue can be worked out only once. Had the Babri Masjid not been demolished, BJP would not have been reduced to this dismal state. They could have banked upon votes on that issue. But with its demolition, Babri Masjid as an issue also ceased for BJP.
"It was a mistake by BJP. Had the Babri Masjid not been demolished, BJP would have kept coming to power," claimed Paswan.
*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: Nov 26 2013 | 3:46 PM IST

Next Story