Cong, NCP snub Left's idea of Third Front

Congress and NCP dubbed the idea as "non-existent" and a "pipedream" which has no place in the current context.

The Left's idea of a Third Front was on Monday outrightly rejected by Congress and NCP which dubbed it as "non-existent" and a "pipedream" which has no place in the current context.

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"All such speculation about the Third Front is not based on reality. It is non-existent ... It has no place in the current context," Congress spokesman Abhishek Singhvi told reporters here ruling out any unanimity or agreement on such an idea.

Echoing similar sentiments, NCP President Sharad Pawar said in Patna that the formation of a Third Front comprising Left parties will remain a 'pipedream'.

"The country at the moment has two powerful political blocs -- one led by Congress and another by BJP. There seems to be no room for the Third Front.

"There is no possibility of the emergence of a third front in the present political scenario. It will remain a pipedream ," he told reporters.

The statements of Congress and NCP came a day after CPI(M) General Secretary Prakash Karat said his party was trying its best to build a third alternative to Congress and BJP and had also sent proposals to "democratic and secular forces in the UPA in the matter.

Karat's statement has come at a time when the Congress-led coalition is facing a bitter attack from the key outside supporters on the Iran issue.

Congress as also NCP had played down the Left threats to the government.