Thaindian News

Kolkata, Sep 13 (IANS) Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav for the first time made clear his prime ministerial ambitions Thursday but in a shift of stance, declared the formation of the Third Front will have to wait till the general elections, which could be held prematurely.

Addressing the media at the end of the party’s two-day national executive meeting here, Mulayam Singh also announced that his party would contest the next Lok Sabha polls without forging any alliance.

A day after SP general secretary Mohan Singh said his party had already sown the seeds for a Third Front and urged all regional parties opposed to the BJP and the Congress to come together, the party chief virtually did a volte face.

“The Third Front has always been set up after the polls. Depending on the situation - whether the Third Front comes up or not - will be decided after the polls,” said Mulayam Singh.

He also said the SP has not had any talks so far with any party on the front and ruled out holding such discussions before the polls.

“We will fight on our own strength all over India - be it Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra or Bihar, I cannot predict the number of seats we will win, but I can say you will be surprised by the number of seats we get,” Mulayam Singh asserted.

The veteran leader said it was likely that the next general elections would be held ahead of schedule, but he was not sure.

“So far, it is not clear what the UPA (United Progressive Alliance) government wants. At times the situation is such that we feel that the general elections may take place before 2014. But we cannot say for certain that the polls will be held before time,” he said.

Asked whether he wanted to become the prime minister, the Samajwadi Party chief said he was not a saint, and pointed out that if H.D. Deve Gowda could get a chance to occupy the post, such an opportunity could come before his party also.

“It depends upon the opportunity. Even Deve Gowda got such an opportunity. So such an opportunity can come before the Samajawadi Party also. There can be no prophecy in politics.”

“My party will not campaign (on making me prime minister). But I am not a saint.”

To a journalist who asked how he felt at the media projecting him as the country’s next prime minister, the SP supremo said: “I thank you for that comment. But I would like to say that right now I am not the prime ministerial candidate.”

Mulayam Singh also claimed both the major national parties - the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) - were becoming weaker each day.

“We would like to maintain good relations with all like-minded regional parties. Both the Congress and BJP are becoming weak and are more bogged down with their inner bickerings. They have both become indecisive and are unable to do any good for the people,” he said.

Addressing his core constituencies - Muslims and farmers, he said under the UPA regime, both were worst off.

“With prices having gone up, the farmers have to buy seeds, fertilisers, power and water all at a premium. On the other hand, what they produce is sold cheap,” he said.

Blaming the wrong and weak policies of the Congress-led UPA for the price rise, he said his party would strongly protest against the price rise of fuels and essentials.

“It has failed to act strongly against the hoarders. sugar and food grains are rotting in godowns. But the government does not conduct raids on hoarders,” he said.