Advocating a third front ahead of next year's assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, the ruling Samajwadi Party's national executive on Saturday began discussing steps to bolster its electoral prospects in the state, as also in Uttaranchal.
HARIDWAR: Advocating a third front ahead of next year's assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, the ruling Samajwadi Party's national executive on Saturday began discussing steps to bolster its electoral prospects in the state, as also in Uttaranchal.
The two-day meet, being chaired by Uttar Pradesh chief minister and party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav, will take a close look at the political scenario in the two states and chalk out its poll strategy to retain power in Uttar Pradesh and unseat the Congress in Uttaranchal.
Yadav favours formation of a third front, comprising socialist leaders to take on both the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party. The recent meeting in Lucknow between Yadav and George Fernandes, who is facing isolation in the Janata Dal (United), is being viewed in that context.
Fernandes has declared support to the Samajwadi Party in the UP polls.
Yadav has called upon leaders believing in socialist ideologies to join hands and come together on a platform.
The Samajwadi Party heads the ruling coalition in UP with the Congress as its partner. But the relations between the two parties have been strained because of allegations and counter-allegations from both sides. The SP extends outside support to United Progressive Alliance at the Centre.
Highly critical of the Centre's economic policies, Yadav has cited inflation, unemployment and plight of farmers as examples to drive home his point.
At the same time, while attacking the Centre, the UP Chief Minister has highlighted different welfare measures adopted by his government for education of girl child, poverty eradication and welfare of farmers.
Asserting that his government has done a lot for the welfare of people, Yadav told reporters that none could pose a challenge to his party at the hustings.
He also claimed that Rahul Gandhi, who is expected to head the Congress campaign, cannot stop the SP from returning to power in UP "which has been transformed into Uttam (excellent) Pradesh."
The SP is believed to have chosen this pilgrim town for its national executive as the party is eyeing Uttaranchal, where the Congress is in power.
Besides Mulayam Singh Yadav, senior party leaders, including Amar Singh, Janeshwar Mishra, Ramgopal Yadav, Sahid Siddiqui, a number of party Members of Parliament, legislators and state ministers are participating in the deliberations.
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