Date:19/05/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/05/19/stories/2005051907301200.htm

National

Third front will become reality: Gowda

Staff Reporter

`Regional parties inclined to find alternative to Congress, BJP

TIRUMALA: The third front will become a reality in the days to come, the former Prime Minister and Janata Dal (Secular) president, H.D. Deve Gowda, told mediapersons here on Wednesday.

Though there was no time frame, it would definitely take shape. Regional parties, particularly in the south, which had grown stronger, might play an active role in the formation of the front. They were inclined to find an alternative to the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party.

Asked about his party's role in its formation, Mr. Gowda said he was not playing any active part. For, his party was supporting the Congress Government in Karnataka. After his failure to float a `people's front' four years ago with the cooperation of leaders such as Jyoti Basu, Harkishan Singh Surjeet and Mulayam Singh Yadav, he decided not to make venture a second time.

Asked about the performance of the United Progressive Alliance Government, Mr. Gowda said all problems could not be solved within a short span of 365 days.

Eradication of poverty, meeting drinking water requirement and provision of basic facilities in rural areas were yet to be addressed properly.

To another question, he said if Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Maharashtra confined themselves to the guidelines laid down in the Bachawat Award on sharing of river waters, there would not be any confrontation.

Mr. Gowda, who turned 73 on Wednesday, offered prayers at the Venkateswara temple here.