JD(U) president Sharad Yadav today made a strong pitch for a "Third Force" in next Lok Sabha polls, saying the issue of leadership was never an impediment in formation of a non-Congress, non-BJP government.
"Due to the situation the country is facing because of BJP and Congress, we have decided to bring together parties to strengthen the Third Force," Yadav said.
"It is difficult to distinguish between what is right or wrong. Due to the atmosphere created by the two parties, real issue like corruption and unemployment have taken a back seat," he said.
Replying to queries about the prime ministerial candidate of the 'Third Front', Yadav said, "this problem may be in those two parties not among us... When there was no trouble so far, why a trouble will arise on this issue for us this time?
"The name of V P Singh was also not announced. Even when the United Front government was formed, the names were not decided before."
The party attended a national convention against communalism on October 30 last year, giving indications of its growing interest in a non-Congress-non BJP formation.
11 non-Congress and non-BJP parties formally joined hands on Wednesday as a block in Parliament to pitch for pro-people, anti-communal and federal agenda.
Referring to these two events, Yadav said that attempts are being made to give an alternative to Congress and BJP so that real issues like corruption and price rise could be addressed.
The JD(U) chief also ridiculed Narendra Modi.
"If he has become so desperate (to become PM), he should get the replica of Lal Qila behind him and take oath (of prime ministership) from P A Sangma, whom BJP had fielded (as their candidate in the presidential elections)," Yadav said.
JD (U), which was then in NDA, had not supported Sangma's candidature and backed UPA nominee Pranab Mukherjee raising eyebrows in the dispensation.
