Congress sees no space for a third front

Riding high on the results of exit polls that saw an addition of 23 seats for the Congress, the party yesterday said it did not see any space for a third force in the post-poll scenario.

Party spokesman S Jaipal Reddy told reporters that the party had not shut the doors on any alliances after the polls. He was, however, quick to add that the Congress would not welcome any BJP ally.

At a meeting of senior leaders of the Congress that included Ambika Soni, Motilal Vohra, Manmohan Singh and Ahmad Patel, the exit polls were discussed threadbare.

"We have decided that all candidates whose constituencies have already gone to polls in the first three phases will now move to Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh,'' said All India Congress Committee (AICC) General Secretary Ahmad Patel.

The Congress, however, was less sanguine about the rout exit polls predict they will face in Karnataka.

In fact, the party leaders are worried about the poor show in the state. The Congress does not expect more than 10 seats if polling trends are properly analysed. Officially, though, the party still claims that it will get enough to form the government.

"We will form the government in Karnataka, whatever the polls say,'' said Patel.

Analysing trends shown in exit polls, Reddy said the Congress was making impressive strides in a number of states and was heading for a clear majority in the next Lok Sabha, with its allies.

Reddy told reporters: "We do not share your opinion that the 14th Lok Sabha is likely to be hung. Trends indicate that secular forces will get a clear verdict".

Reddy also said the issue of the leadership of the secular alliance was still open and the allies would discuss the matter after the polls.

But despite repeated questions, Reddy avoided a direct reply on the possibility of a tie-up with the Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party.

On the Samajwadi party's attempt to provide a secular alternative at the Centre, Reddy said, "Though SP is not our ally and we are facing each other in Uttar Pradesh, we do recognise it as a secular-minded party."