Cong not to back other Fronts, others welcome to back Cong: AK Antony

The Financial Express
Posted: Saturday, Apr 04, 2009 at 0025 hrs IST
Updated: Saturday, Apr 04, 2009 at 0025 hrs IST

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Thiruvananthapuram: Congress will not back any Front that's not led by Dr Manmohan Singh after the Lok Sabha polls, but other parties can join Congress-led Front. This is the unequivocal signal that Congress Working Committee (CWC) Member and Union Defence Minister AK Antony is sending out to Left and regional parties engaged in cobbling up coalitions.

"For the post of Prime Minister, Congress party will not support anybody other than Dr Manmohan Singh. So once we carve out a clear majority - which we are sure to-, there's no question of seeking out other Fronts to back. But those parties which are keen on keeping BJP away from power can join our Front, if they want," AK Antony said categorically, in a free-wheeling chat with mediapersons, here.

Thrice Chief Minister of Kerala, Antony has plunged into a week-long campaign tour for Congress-led United Democratic Front in the State on Friday.

Congress, according to him, has decided that it will no ally at national level with any party. State units have been given leeway to work out local tie-up strategies. It was after the polls that UPA (United Progressive Alliance) had emerged in 2004. In the same vein, after the elections, these parties could become partners in the Congress-led Front this time too.

When pointed out this Congress stand could be seen as smacking haughtiness, Antony responded that it was mainly a question of electoral maths.

"It is only the Congress which is contesting in all the States. Can you tell me any other party ( of UPA), which is contesting all over the country?" he asked.

Radiating confidence, he said that leaders like Sharad Pawar and Lalu Prasad Yadav have not left UPA. "Nor has Congress thrown any party out of UPA," he claimed.

Asked about CPI-M general secretary Prakash Karat's statement that in the post-poll scenario, Congress would have to support the Third Front, Antony pointed out that "Karat cannot expect such a reciprocity after fighting us in the polls. In West Bengal, Kerala and Tripura, they would be our direct political rivals in elections."

Third Front is just "a dream", according to Antony. "Its a free country and everybody is entitled to his dream," he quipped.

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