Date:01/04/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/04/01/stories/2006040104401200.htm

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National

"Third front taking shape in Bihar"

Special Correspondent

"Anti-incumbency factor will be at work"

As an alternative to NDA and RJD

To seek consolidation of Dalit, minority votes in Uttar Pradesh

Ram Vilas Paswan

NEW DELHI: President of the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) Ram Vilas Paswan on Friday claimed that a `third front' was taking shape in Bihar as an alternative to the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD).

Mr. Paswan told reporters that the third front would comprise the Communist Party of India (CPI), the CPI (ML), the Samajwadi Party and possibly the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP).

The LJP would seek to consolidate the Dalit and minority votes in Uttar Pradesh for next year's Assembly election. "The anti-incumbency factor would work against the ruling Samajwadi Party and people are not too happy with the Bahujan Samaj Party due to Mayawati's inclination towards Brahmins," Mr. Paswan claimed.

The LJP will contest nine seats in the coming Assembly polls in West Bengal, where the party has a tie-up with the Congress. It will field candidates from Salbani, Barjora, Domjur, Uttarpara, Basanti (SC), Canning East, Bhangar, Hirapur and Rajnagar (SC).

The LJP sought the Bara Bazaar seat in Kolkata. However, as the State Congress president was the sitting MLA from the constituency, the LJP was willing to accept any seat with a large Dalit and minority population. "We are in touch with senior Congress leader Pranab Mukherjee on the issue and it should be sorted out soon," he said.