The Congress could consider extending support to the Third Front or taking its help to form the government after the Lok Sabha elections, Union minister Salman Khurshid said on Saturday.
His remark may signal a significant shift in Congress’ post-poll strategy, for it was only last week that Congress general secretary Ajay Maken had ruled out supporting a government led by the 11-party collective.
On Friday, Maharashtra chief minister Prithviraj Chavan dropped a similar hint on the party’s plan to stop BJP from coming to power. "I don't see any great possibility of Narendra Modi becoming the Prime Minister. Even if he gets more seats than us, he would not get support of the regional parties," Chavan had said at a press conference in Mumbai. "As the other alternative, Congress and third front can form the government. We will try to form a secular government," he added.
On Saturday, speaking to reporters at his native village Pitauram, Khurshid said there seemed to be no possibility of BJP forming the government.
"After poll results, if necessary Congress could consider extending support even to the Third Front to form the government. Not only this taking support from the Third Front could be considered," he said.
{{/usCountry}}"After poll results, if necessary Congress could consider extending support even to the Third Front to form the government. Not only this taking support from the Third Front could be considered," he said.
{{/usCountry}}Khurshid claimed Narendra Modi was going to emerge as a "big problem" for BJP and referring to Ram temple movement, said that when "Bhagwan ki lehar" (God's wave) could not stop Congress, then how can "Modi wave" stop it.
The Third Front includes the Left parties, erstwhile NDA partner JD(U) and the Samajwadi Party among 11 state outfits. The collective has over the past few months pitched for a ‘non-BJP, non-Congress secular front’.