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Janata Dal (United), which walked out of NDA last year, today said it will strive for formation of a “Third force” though there are “internal contradictions” that act as a hindrance in bringing all non-Congress non-BJP parties together.
The JD (U) also slammed its erstwhile ally BJP for “breaking the Opposition unity” against UPA and ruled out any truck with Congress in the next Lok Sabha polls.
In an interview to PTI, party President Sharad Yadav scotched speculation of JD(U) aligning with the BJP again after the Lok Sabha polls, saying the parting of ways happened on ideological issues and there is “no question” of their joining hands again.
The JD(U), which seems to be waging a lonely battle in Bihar after walking out of NDA, is confident that despite internal contradictions a “Third force” will emerge after the next Lok Sabha polls of which the party said will be a key part.
Yadav admitted that there are “internal contradictions” that act as a hindrance in bringing all non-Congress, non-BJP parties together but at the same time cited examples of their coming together to form governments in the past.
Stating that JD(U), Samajwadi Party and JD(S) have already come together, he said that talks are on with other parties to enlist their support.
“There is a big political force in the country minus BJP and Congress. There is a need to bring that in social debate. The strength of non-BJP, non-Congress Opposition is not less.
“If the country has to be put on right track, this Third force is required,” he said.
Yadav’s party colleague and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar yesterday said efforts to form a new “block” of parties opposed to the BJP and the Congress is all set to gain momentum with a meeting of leaders in Delhi on February 5.
Talking about the difficulties in bringing all regional non-Congress, non-BJP parties together, he admitted, “Yes there are some internal contradictions in states.
Left and Mamata cannot go together in West Bengal, SP and BSP in Uttar Pradesh or DMK and AIADMK in Tamil Nadu.”
“But the experience of last 65 years shows that while there is internal contradiction, there is also a broad agreement on crucial issues.”
The same parties had come together when we organized Bharat Bandh on issues like price hike thrice, he added.
“We are trying to find a way and to begin with JD (U), Samajwadi Party and Janata Dal(Secular) have come together. More parties will join. We are trying and confident that it will happen.”
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