Akhilesh scouts for allies, makes pitch for third front

Speaking to reporters after inaugurating the Chitirai full-moon youth cultural festival of the Vanniyar Sangam, where he shared the stage with PMK founder S Ramadoss, Akhilesh said the Congress and the BJP have failed to fulfil the aspirations of the nation.

In a clear indication that the Samajwadi Party is fishing for new partners ahead of the Lok Sabha election in 2014, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Monday strongly pitched for a third front which he termed as a “necessity.”

Speaking to reporters after inaugurating the Chitirai full-moon youth cultural festival of the Vanniyar Sangam, where he shared the stage with PMK founder S Ramadoss, Akhilesh said the Congress and the BJP have failed to fulfil the aspirations of the nation.

“The Samajwadi Party believes there should be a third force at the national level. The Congress and the BJP-led alliances have failed on many fronts,” the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister said.

The youngest Chief Minister of UP, who later called on Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and AIADMK supremo J Jayalalithaa in a meeting that lasted close to 30 minutes, said the south was pivotal if the idea of giving his father, Mulayam Singh, a larger national role was to materialise.

Asked if his participation in the PMK meet signaled an attempt to unite OBC forces in the country, Akhilesh said the community and other downtrodden people, required a voice. In this regard, he ridiculed the view of business houses that have gone out of their way to nominate either Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi or Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi as their Prime Ministerial candidates.

“The big business houses-led forums in the country have decided on their Prime Ministers. But only those whom the common people decide can become the leader,” he pointed out.

Akhilesh also advocated strong measures to curb instances of violence against women regardless of the party that occupied power.