'NDA will not succeed in dividing secular forces'

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI, MAY 1. The success of the National Democratic Alliance in dividing secular forces will not be ``permanent'', according to the former Prime Minister and Janata Dal (Secular) leader, Mr. H.D. Deve Gowda.

At a press conference here today, Mr. Gowda said secular forces would come together to protect the unity and secular fabric of the country. However, he continued the talk of maintaining ``equidistance'' from both the Congress(I) and the BJP. Asked whether if he considered the Congress(I) a secular party, he replied that the party would have to first realise its mistakes and find acceptance among the people.

Both the BJP and the Congress(I) were on the decline. Neither would be able to come to power without the help of allies. But the formation of a third front would depend on the changing political circumstances, he added.

Mr. Gowda denied he was taking any initiative to revive a third front. The group of four former Prime Ministers was intended to discuss core issues such as secularism, economy, and employment. It was a non-political group aimed at moulding public opinion on these issues, he said.

Mr. Gowda dismissed as ``hypothetical'' a question whether the JD(S), which was part of the TMC-led front in Tamil Nadu in the last election, would move closer to the Congress(I) along with the TMC. The next Assembly election was still a year away, he said.

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Section  : National
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